GARRY STARR : Classic Penguins (Off-Broadway)

Garry: Starr: Classic Penguins, written and performed by Daniel Warren-Smith, will make its U.S. premiere Off-Broadway

Following sold-out engagements in London’s West End, Sydney, Melbourne, and the Edinburgh Fringe, the five-week run will play Studio Seaview September 3–October 4. (extended thru October 11). Opening night is scheduled for September 8.

In the solo show, Garry Starr is hell-bent on saving books from extinction by performing every Penguin Classic novel ever written in under an hour, (mostly) naked.

Tickets start at $35. Visit GarryStarrNYC.com

Garry Starr : Classic Penguins

Updated On: 9/8/26 at 01:22 AM

A friend in Sydney recommended it to me and I went to see and loved it! Laughed and laughed. Ended up onstage slow dancing with a naked Garry. I recommended it to my sister and brother-in-law and they didn't get the show. Another friend liked it but didn't love it. I think it's a really fun show. It's not very long and Garry is great. There's a lot of audience participation, so maybe avoid to be up front.

Javi said: "There's a lot of audience participation, so maybe avoid to be up front."

Audience participation? Have a front row tickets in a few weeks. Is participation avoidable?

Updated On: 9/5/26 at 11:59 AM

WldKingdomHM said: "CoffeeBreak said: "Tonight is already SOLD OUT."

Welcome to a first preview 😀"

The first preview was two days ago, on September 3.

I saw the first preview- Holding the Man is still in.

If you're in the front row, it is pretty hard to escape his notice, but for active participation he's very good at getting enthusiastic consent (not that there was any shortage of enthusiastic volunteers in the audience, even for the most outrageous asks). However, he is all over the house and I would wager you are pretty likely to at the very least have him near you, step over you, or come into contact with you even if you never choose to volunteer.

As for the show itself, it's something very dependent on surprise, misdirection, and subversion of expectations, so it's hard to talk in depth without undercutting it. Just know it's about an hour of absurd, silly, and stupid shenanigans- it's not a play and there's no real intellectual or thematic heft or statement here. He is incredible at getting the audience on board and he is deeply committed and endlessly surprising with what he does. I can see it not being for everyone, but I thought it was often very funny and a great end of summer diversion.

Updated On: 9/6/26 at 10:57 AM

THEATERMANIA.com

Review: Garry Starr: Classic Penguins, a Naked Clown Show About Great Literature by Dan Rubins

The Fringe Festival hit comes to Studio Seaview.

https://www.theatermania.com/news/review-garry-starr-classic-penguins-a-naked-clown-show-about-great-literature_1852789/

Updated On: 9/8/26 at 11:09 PM

CULTURESAUCE.com

‘Garry Starr: Classic Penguins’ gets lit on classics in a very NSFW evening of clowning (Off Broadway review)

★★★☆☆

https://culturesauce.com/garry-starr-classic-penguins-off-broadway-review/

Anyone else seen this? Nearly sold out and prices have jumped for the last two weeks. Had to give up the ticket I had and deciding how much I want/need to see it, especially at the new prices.

yeah if you hate missing out, then that $25 TDF ticket was your best bet. I agree with others that it is unique and one-of-a-kind though I wouldn't say it's a must see. It is not for everyone and yes, I saw an elderly couple leave the show early (during the novel Bodysurfer). Damien does a great job though with consent in regards to audience participation.