Metropolitan's oral history project is an ongoing series of monologues, written and performed by a diverse collection of actors, solo-performers, and local artists, that bring the true stories of the present and past life of the East Village to intimate, surprising, funny, and touching life on the Metropolitan stage. Once called the Lower East Side, and now divided by realtors and culture vultures into the 'East Village', 'Alphabet City', and the new 'Lower East Side', the neighborhood around Metropolitan is one of the most diverse in the city. Children of first generation Italians and Ukrainians remember when the sidewalk was your front porch and you didn't lock your doors at night. Artists and entrepreneurs remember finding a home and community in the neglected streets of 30 years ago. New transplants find nightlife and opportunities in the bars and restaurants (and theaters!) that have flooded the area in the past 10. Join us for their stories, together painting a colorful portrait of a rapidly changing, deeply loved New York neighborhood.

Evening A ~ Guest Host, El Extreme (8/19) Latarsha Rose as Marilyn Appleberg, Community Activist Alex Roe as Hugh Mackey, Classic Motorcycle Artist Elizabeth Krekel as Liesl Schillinger, Writer & Editor Evening B ~ Guest Host, El Extreme Bethany Sacks as Ed Boros, Garden Sculptor Mike Lubik as Keith Parisi, Former Banker Chinatsu Uehara as Mari-chan, Karaoke Singer Evening C ~ Guest Host, Shari Austrian & Emily Fohrman LuLu LoLo as Lucille Consorti, Owner, Veteran Pipe Covering Karl Williams as Hilly Kristal, Owner and Founder, CBGB Sandie Luna as "Kat"--Teenage Filmmaker Evening D ~ Guest Host, Gina Stahlnecker (8/22) Tracie Morris as Ela Troyano, Filmmaker R. Marisa Petsakos as Dan Godstrey, Firefighter D. Zhonzinsky as Richard Armijo, Artist and Bookseller Don Puglisi as Igor Fernandez, Fairy Maker