Oscar-nominated actress Jennifer Tilly stars in a current revival of Elmer L. Rice’s 1923 expressionist work, The Adding Machine, staged at the Theatre at St. Clement’s in Hell’s Kitchen. This production, under the direction of Scott Elliott, is slated to continue its run until May 17, 2026, as reported by Art Threat.
Tilly takes on the role of Mrs. Zero, initiating the two-hour and 15-minute show with a significant monologue delivered from a Murphy bed. The narrative delves into the existential dilemma faced by Mr. Zero, portrayed by Daphne Rubin-Vega, following his displacement by automation after a quarter-century of service.
The ensemble cast includes Sarita Choudhury as Daisy and Michael Cyril Creighton in various parts. Derek McLane, the set designer, crafted the play’s diverse settings using modular filing cabinets, and Thomas Bradshaw updated Rice’s century-old original script.
| Role | Actor | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Mrs. Zero | Jennifer Tilly | Bullets Over Broadway, The Real Housewives |
| Mr. Zero | Daphne Rubin-Vega | Rent (Broadway), In the Heights (film) |
| Daisy | Sarita Choudhury | And Just Like That…, Homeland |
| Multiple Roles | Michael Cyril Creighton | The Good Wife, Broadway veteran |
Critics have lauded the production for its examination of corporate avarice and the replacement of human labor by technology. These themes are highlighted by reviewers as especially pertinent to current conversations about workplace automation and artificial intelligence.
Exeunt Magazine remarked, “Jennifer Tilly’s tour-de-force monologue at the beginning of The New Group’s revival of The Adding Machine immediately sets the tone for what is one of the most exciting off-Broadway productions in recent memory.”
The New Group plans a live stream of the show for remote viewers on May 5, 2026, at 7 PM Eastern. In-person tickets for the Manhattan performance begin at $50, and the production is recommended for those aged 13 and above due to mature language and historically accurate slurs.