The ‘OBIE’ and After Joe’s Death

Buy Cino T-Shirt HERE, Cino Book HERE.

In 1965, critic MICHAEL SMITH presented JOE CINO and ELLEN STEWART with the first Village Voice “Obie” (“Off-Broadway,” “O-B,” “Obie,” get it?) Award to be given for Off-Off Broadway achievement.
See amazing OBIE presentation photo HERE!

(l. to r.) critic MICHAEL SMITH and JOE CINO.

Ellen Stewart

The Obie Citation

See ERIC KREB’s play about being doorman at the Cino after JOE CINO’s death HERE.

The first show to open at the Cino after Joe’s death in 1967 was CLARIS NELSON’s The Clown, with (below) me, LANFORD WILSON, and director MARSHALL MASON, as well as other writers and directors, in fantastic costumes by MICHAEL WARREN POWELL. We were much criticized for playing a lyric comedy at such a time by those who did not understand Joe Cino’s spirit. We were also criticized for showing up at the “Obies” soon after Joe’s death in joyous costume (HERE). Joe called us his “Rockettes” (entertainers who went on making merry whatever happened) and it was in that spirit that we dressed.

CLARIS NELSON's The Clown, photo by JAMES D. GOSSAGE

MICHAEL WARREN POWELL, photo by JAMES D. GOSSAGE

Charles Stanley took over the Cino, then confidently yielded it to Joe’s great friend and supporter Michael Smith with Michael’s partner Wolfgang Zuckerman. Shows included Lanford Wilson’s brilliant This Is the Rill Speaking (below); the comic book shows,Snow White, Goethe’s Faust (the Classic Comics version), and Archie and His Friends; revivals of plays by Bob Heide, Tom Eyen, Chekov, Wallace Stevens, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti; original plays by Soren Agenoux, Charles Stanley (Opening July 4th: for Joe and Vultures Over Miami) and me (The Warhol Machine and New Works: Lights, Camera, and Action), plus new-to-the-Cino writers George Birimisa, Haal Borske, Ronny Tavel, Charles Kerbs, Josef Bush, and Tom La Bar. The last Cino production was Diane DiPrima’s lyric poem-play, Monuments.

This Is the Rill Speaking directed by Marshall Mason, with (l. to r.) Claris Nelson, Phillip Clark, Jacque Lynn Colton, Tanya Berezin, Marvin Peisner, and Fredric Forest (Photo: JAMES D. GOSSAGE)

Read Michael Smith’s Cino memories HERE!

THE CINO MEMORIAL AT JUDSON CHURCH

At a memorable tribute to Joe Cino at Judson Church on April 10, 1967, dozens of artists performed. Again in Joe’s spirit, along with somber and serious works by (just for example) TOM O’HORGAN with the La Mama Troupe, dancer Remy Charlip, actress MARY BOYLAN, and playwright H.M. KOUTOUKAS with composer Al Carmines, lighthearted and even frivolous pieces were done. Here are:

DEBORAH LEE, who did the hilarious America

DAVID CHRISTMAS and BERNADETTE PETERS, who with other cast members did the sweetly sentimental Raining In My Heart from BOB DAHDAH's brilliant production of Dames at Sea, written by GEORGE HAIMSOHN, ROBIN MILLER, and JAMES WISE.

Dancer/actor EDDIE BARTON, who in a stunning, indescribable tribute to Joe walked on his hands clear around the enormous Judson Church auditorium with his body covered in glitter.