Ethan Slater and more to star in 'Marcel on the Train' off Broadway

[macbeth]

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... 

[everythingtaboo]

Posted: 10/1/25 at 1:54pm

Was really hoping this was actually about Marcel the Shell.

[KevinKlawitter]

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...

 

[nmartin]

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."

[abcd12]

Posted: 2/11/26 at 10:06am

Any reports on this?

[PipingHotPiccolo]

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.

 

[the.hard.part]

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?

Updated On: 2/15/26 at 12:34 AM

[PipingHotPiccolo]

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.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

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. 

Updated On: 2/15/26 at 10:09 AM

[schubox]

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

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 2/16/26 at 2:14pm

I was already on a subway platform at 4pm on the dot yesterday.

[schubox]

Posted: 2/16/26 at 5:09pm

iluvtheatertrash said: "I was already on a subway platform at 4pm on the dot yesterday."

thanks

[DramaTeach]

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.

[BoringBoredBoard40]

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

Updated On: 2/21/26 at 11:55 PM

[DramaTeach]

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…

[DramaTeach]

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?

[KevinKlawitter]

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?"

 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 2/22/26 at 11:26pm

when there isn't a star rating that tends to mean something from Feldman right ?

[CoffeeBreak]

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/

Updated On: 2/22/26 at 11:36 PM

[MezzA101]

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

[DramaTeach]

Posted: 2/23/26 at 7:47am

Definitely some mixed, but I guess positive overall. Review Roundup