I'm a Broadway and television actor. I write solo shows and poetry. I teach music to elementary students. I’m a happy husband. NYC by necessity, nature lover at heart. Sugar addicted, garden sowing, LGBTQ advocating, chef inspired goofball!
“Gut-wrenching. Hugely entertaining.
COMMUNION has much relevance in today’s world.
We know it will live long and prosper.”
“Very compelling and really well written.
I highly recommend it.”
The Story
When a gay Catholic school teacher marries the man he loves, the church fires him—upending his faith and unsettling his entire community. Based on the real life story of Broadway actor and playwright Matthew LaBanca, Communion is a powerful solo show that spotlights themes of delusion, spiritual trauma, and hope, reminding those who would use religion to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people that the most basic tenet of a spiritual life is that we are called to love one another.
Performances
UPCOMING: July, 2025 - The Sisters of St. Joseph 375th Anniversary Jubilee, Kansas City, MO
Nov, 2024 - World Premiere OFF-BROADWAY, the cell theatre, NYC
June, 2024 - Developmental Reading, Sunnyside Reformed Church, Queens, NY
Feb, 2024 - “Communion - A Fundraiser for Michael Califano” Studio Theatre Long Island, Lindenhurst, NY
Sept 2023 - Developmental Production, the cell theatre, NYC
Learn More
Matthew LaBanca's termination as a gay musician in the Catholic church inspired Communion. It also sparked a media frenzy.
CLICK HERE for articles and interviews in the NY Times, Daily News, 1010 WINS, Inside Edition, and more.
“Well written, acted, and delivered.
The angels above are definitely guiding Matthew on using COMMUNION to bring about change.”
“Matthew is a warrior.
Warriors cannot and do not shut up.”
Matthew LaBanca
Author & Performer
Matthew performed on Broadway in the original companies of Young Frankenstein, White Christmas, and A Christmas Carol. His solo show Good Enough played Off Broadway at the United Solo Festival, winning the festival's Best Musical Award in 2014. Matthew’s TV credits include Broad City, Live from Lincoln Center, and Severance on Apple+. Matthew’s controversial termination from the Diocese of Brooklyn in 2021 led to a media firestorm, and is the inspiration for his new solo show, Communion.
Kira Simring
Director
Kira Simring is the Artistic Director of Nancy Manocherian's the cell theatre in NYC, where she has developed and directed new works since 2006. Directing credits include the world premieres of The Women Who Rode Away by Natalia Zukerman (the cell and off the WALL), Yes! Reflections of Molly Bloom (Irish Rep), Crackskull Row by Honor Molloy (New York Times Critics’ Pick) and Hard Times: An American Musical by Larry Kirwan (New York Times Critics’ Pick). Kira is a three-time Origin Theatre 1st Irish Award Winner for Best Director.
Julianne Merrill
Sound / Production
Julianne works in NYC as a professional Music Director, Pianist, and Electronic Music Engineer. On Broadway, she can be found on the podium as a substitute conductor or keyboard player, as well as a designer of pit playback technologies: aka "PatchMaster." Keyboard Programmer for Broadway's A Strange Loop, Playback Engineer for Broadway's Some Like it Hot. Also Broadway's Harmony and How to Dance in Ohio. A recent graduate and now professor of Live Music Production and Design and Writing and Design for Musical Theatre at Berklee NYC.
Ryan Belock
Projections
Off-Broadway: On A Clear Day You Can See Forever (Irish Repertory), Dogs of Rwanda, A Deal (Urban Stages), The Jury, Powerline Road (TheatreNowNY), Musical of Musicals, Me & Ella (York Theatre). Broadway: Associate/Assistant: Here Lies Love (Animator, , Peter Nigrini, designer) Dear Evan Hansen (Understudies Assistant Editor, Broadway, West End, U.S. Tour, Peter Nigrini, deisgner).
“Guaranteed to foster discussions about religion, sexuality, identity, tradition, prejudice, and much more,
this COMMUNION is well worth receiving!”
“Raw. Deeply moving.
Teacher’s play confronting gay discrimination in the church is an Off-Broadway hit.”
