Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway
Broadway Star Joined: 5/7/03
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#1
Posted: 10/1/25 at 12:46pm
Joining previously announced Wicked star Ethan Slater as Marcel Marceau are Julie Benko as Berthe, Maddie Corman as Etiennette, Max Gordon Moore as Adolphe, Aaron Serotsky as The Man, and Alex Wyse as Henri. Additional casting has yet to be announced.
Co-written by Slater and Marshall Pailet, who also directs, Marcel on the Train tells the true story of the world-famous mime who guided Jewish children to safety in in Nazi-occupied France during World War II.
I'm intrigued...
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#2
Posted: 10/1/25 at 1:54pm
Was really hoping this was actually about Marcel the Shell.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#3
Posted: 10/1/25 at 6:57pm
This story was made into a movie starring Jesse Eisenberg a few years back that I've always meant to get around to watching...
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/3/05
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#4
Posted: 10/2/25 at 11:39am
Everythingtaboo said, "Was really hoping this was actually about Marcel the Shell."
I didn't know about Marcel the Shell. Thanks to everythingtaboo, I do now, and I LOVE it!
"Guess what I do for adventure. I hand-glide on a Dorito."
Featured Actor Joined: 3/17/09
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#5
Posted: 2/11/26 at 10:06am
Any reports on this?
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#6
Posted: 2/15/26 at 12:17am
a story worth telling, and this telling has some very powerful moments, but i think the script could use a few more revisions. early in previews, could be the pacing, but Slater makes the fatal mistake of attempting humor that doesnt work in such a horrific setting. the most pivotal, should-be-terrifying scene lands very flat as written.
as an actor, though, slater is magnificent as Marcel, a real physical talent. the whole cast does well; maddie corman is a standout, giving an entirely wordless devastating performance. and the actual production is also a marvel: i dont remember this space at CSC ever being used as inventively in terms of lighting, sound, atmosphere.
for its shortcomings, not a dry eye in the full house tonight. lots of buzzy theater people. matthew broderick sitting behind me next to the director.
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#7
Posted: 2/15/26 at 12:34am
PipingHotPiccolo said: "a story worth telling, and this telling has some very powerful moments, but i think the script could use a few more revisions. early in previews, could be the pacing, but Slater makes the fatal mistake of attempting humor that doesnt work in such a horrific setting. the most pivotal, should-be-terrifying scene lands very flat as written.
as an actor, though, slater is magnificent as Marcel, a real physical talent. the whole cast does well; maddie corman is a standout, giving an entirely wordless devastating performance. and the actual production is also a marvel: i dont remember this space at CSC ever being used as inventively in terms of lighting, sound, atmosphere.
for its shortcomings, not a dry eye in the fullhouse tonight. lots of buzzy theater people. matthew broderick sitting behind me next to the director.
"
In terms of staging do you feel the side seats would be ok? Or spring for the forward facing section?
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#8
Posted: 2/15/26 at 12:57am
I really dont think there were any bad seats--- I suppose certain actors had scenes that played to one side or another, but nothing drastic and the side seats are closer to the action for the vast majority of the evening. but really no bad seats in such an intimate space.
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#9
Posted: 2/15/26 at 10:09am
Unfortunately I thought this was a slog.
Pailet and Slater seem way too close to the subject to produce a dramatically compelling offering that stands on its own. Slater is certainly doing a LOT, but so much of his effort felt labored and even awkward at times.
Some cleverly-staged moments utilizing silence and shadow, but overall, not even close to being a fully-realized piece.
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#10
Posted: 2/16/26 at 11:12am
I know this just started, but was the run time close to the 100 minutes stated? Trying to figure out if I'd have time to see this on a Sunday afternoon and have time to catch my Sunday night flight
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/9/04
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#11
Posted: 2/16/26 at 2:14pm
I was already on a subway platform at 4pm on the dot yesterday.
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#12
Posted: 2/16/26 at 5:09pm
iluvtheatertrash said: "I was already on a subway platform at 4pm on the dot yesterday."
thanks
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#13
Posted: 2/20/26 at 10:52pm
Thought this was beautiful and Ethan Slater was fantastic. Hope he gets some love for it at the Drama Desks. I have questions and wish there was a talkback after. Wishing them success with the show.
And for those wondering about time, I looked at my phone when the lights came up and it was 8:53. Show started at about 7:05.
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/27/21
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#14
Posted: 2/20/26 at 11:55pm
Saw it tonight
first off FOR THE LOVE OF GOD TURN YOUR PHONES OFF
Right at the top somesone loud ass ring tone went off not once but TWICE
A big swing that I don't think entirely worked at moments but was a overall beautiful and haunting piece imagenatively staged and is really a showcase for Ethan Slater, also Maddie Corman is so wonderful in this.
It ultimately made me want to go and read more about Marcel Marceau (who Ethan really does look like!)
there is chatter of a Broadway transfer, not sure how it would translate to a bigger space but not my money
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#15
Posted: 2/21/26 at 4:10pm
BoringBoredBoard40 said: "Saw it tonight
first off FOR THE LOVE OF GOD TURN YOUR PHONES OFF
Right at the top somesone loud ass ring tone went off not once but TWICE
A big swing that I don't think entirely worked at moments but was a overall beautiful and haunting piece imagenatively staged and is really a showcase for Ethan Slater, also Maddie Corman is so wonderful in this.
It ultimately made me want to go and read more about Marcel Marceau (who Ethan really does look like!)
there is chatter of a Broadway transfer, not sure how it would translate to a bigger space but not my money"
Yes to the phone situation! The person didn’t even bother to shut it as it kept ringing. So incredibly rude. Ethan paused dramatically for a long time in the hopes that they would silence it. Eventually it just stopped ringing and he went back to things, but then it rang AGAIN! People…
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#16
Posted: 2/22/26 at 8:12am
Apparently this opened last night, but I don’t see any reviews. Do we know when they’re coming out?
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#17
Posted: 2/22/26 at 9:54pm
Mixed review from Adam Feldman at TimeOut
DramaTeach said: "Apparently this opened last night, but I don’t see any reviews. Do we know when they’re coming out?"
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/30/17
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#18
Posted: 2/22/26 at 11:26pm
when there isn't a star rating that tends to mean something from Feldman right ?
Broadway Legend Joined: 3/30/17
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#19
Posted: 2/22/26 at 11:36pm
NY TIMES - Elizabeth Vencentelli
https://dctheaterarts.org/2026/02/22/courageous-backstory-of-the-worlds-greatest-mime-in-marcel-on-the-train-off-broadway-at-classic-stage-company/
AM NEW YORK - Matt Windman
https://www.amny.com/news/review-marcel-on-the-train-finds-bravery/
VULURE - Sara Holdren
https://www.vulture.com/article/theater-reviews-marcel-on-the-train-twelve-minor-prophets.html
THE NY SUN - Elysa Gardner
https://www.nysun.com/article/marcel-on-the-train-considers-how-an-iconic-artist-was-shaped-by-dark-times
NEW YORK THEATER GUIDE
https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/reviews/marcel-on-the-train-off-broadway-review-ethan-slater
THEATERMANIA - Zachary Stewart
https://www.theatermania.com/news/review-marcel-on-the-train-ethan-slater-land-mimes-the-nazis_1824970/
FORWARD - PJ Grisar
https://forward.com/culture/theater/806722/marcel-on-the-train-ethan-slater-review-marceau-mime-holocaust/
DC THEATER ARTS
https://dctheaterarts.org/2026/02/22/courageous-backstory-of-the-worlds-greatest-mime-in-marcel-on-the-train-off-broadway-at-classic-stage-company/
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#20
Posted: 2/23/26 at 7:19am
‘Marcel on the Train’ Review: A Famous Mime’s Little-Known Back Story
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/theater/marcel-on-the-train-review-marceau-ethan-slater.html?unlocked_article_code=1.OVA.R85B.8pN3_ccKZShH&smid=nytcore-android-share
Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway#21
Posted: 2/23/26 at 7:47am
Definitely some mixed, but I guess positive overall. Review Roundup
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