The gritty streets of 1999 New York City come alive in a new theatrical production that explores the bond between two childhood friends turned police officers. The Boys From Kingsbridge, written by Steven Sarao, brings audiences into the daily lives of NYPD patrol officers navigating their Bronx neighborhood at the turn of the millennium.
The two-character play features Sarao himself alongside veteran actor James Lorinz, portraying lifelong friends from the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx. Under the direction of Anna Rebek, the production captures a specific moment in New York history when the Yankees dominated baseball and the city buzzed with pre-millennium energy.
“The truth is that reconnecting with old friends, deep relationships and how they can have so much influence on our lives was a major inspiration,” Sarao explained about his motivation for writing the play. “Equally inspiring was the idea that police officers are lifelong members of our communities and intimately understand the significant problems facing New York City. They are often voiceless in a very politicized and media driven environment.”
The limited engagement production runs from August 27 through September 5 as part of the Dream Up Festival at Theater for the New City. The 95-minute drama unfolds against the backdrop of 1999, when the Yankees’ championship season embodied the teamwork and brotherhood that mirrors the partnership between the two officers at the play’s center.
Sarao brings an unusual combination of artistic and academic credentials to the project. Beyond his BFA from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and previous Off-Broadway performances in productions like “Twist of Faith” and “The Ugly Wife,” he holds a master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School with a focus on Criminal Justice Policy and Management. His expertise in law enforcement and terrorism studies informs the authentic portrayal of police work in the play.
Lorinz, known for cult film roles in “Frankenhooker” and “Street Trash,” returns to the downtown theater scene after an extensive career in film and television. His credits span from Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman” to television appearances on “NYPD Blue” and “The Affair.”
Director Anna Rebek, a Mexican and Hungarian-American theater artist with degrees from Yale and Columbia, brings her experience in both classical and contemporary works to the production. Her background includes directing Shakespeare adaptations and new plays, making her well-suited to helm this character-driven drama about friendship and duty.
The play examines how shared experiences and mutual support sustain these officers through the demands of their profession. Set in the Theater for the New City’s Johnson Theater in Manhattan’s East Village, the production offers seven performances with varying showtimes throughout its run.
As Sarao continues developing new theatrical works, including two plays in progress and participation in the upcoming LaMama Umbria Playwrights Retreat, The Boys From Kingsbridge represents his effort to give voice to perspectives often absent from contemporary discussions about policing and community. The production joins a growing body of theater that examines law enforcement through personal rather than political lenses, focusing on individual relationships and the human elements of police work.
Tickets for The Boys From Kingsbridge are priced at $18 and available through the theater’s ticketing system. The Theater for the New City is accessible via multiple subway lines, located at 155 1st Avenue between 9th and 10th Streets in Manhattan.
James Lorinz (left) Steven Sarao (right) Photo by Charles Chessler
