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Jennifer Tilly delivers a fearless, scene-stealing performance in off-Broadway’s The Adding Machine. The Oscar-nominated actress tackles a theatrical role in a 100-year-old satire that feels scarily modern. With just five weeks until closing, this wildly witty revival proves why Tilly’s Broadway credentials demand attention.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Show Title: The Adding Machine, playing off-Broadway through May 10
- Star Power: Jennifer Tilly stars alongside Sarita Choudhury, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Michael Cyril Creighton
- Venue: Theatre at St. Clement’s, 423 West 46th Street, New York
- Original Play: Written by Elmer L. Rice in 1923, revised by Thomas Bradshaw
A Broadway Legend Takes On Off-Broadway
Jennifer Tilly made her Broadway debut decades ago in The Women. She became an Oscar-nominated actor for her work in Woody Allen’s Bullets Over Broadway. Now, the award-winning performer brings her wit and glamour to Scott Elliott’s reimagined production. Her character is described as absolutely insufferable, and she nails every second of it with professional precision.
Tilly’s boldness in the role has earned praise from theater critics and audience members alike. The off-Broadway stage gives her room to expand her fearless choices. Her comedic timing contrasts brilliantly with the ensemble cast’s chemistry.
Jennifer Tilly stars in off-Broadway’s The Adding Machine through May 10
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The Adding Machine Explores Corporate Dehumanization
Mr. Zero is just another cog in the machine. He can’t fulfill his own needs, much less those of his wife Mrs. Zero, or his workwife Daisy. When his boss replaces him with a machine, Mr. Zero lashes out violently. This propels him on a wild existential journey that is scarily current despite being written over 100 years ago.
The play’s themes of identity, redundancy, and dehumanization resonate powerfully in today’s world. The production uses experimental modernist theater techniques introduced in the original 1923 script. Director Scott Elliott brings this satire into sharp focus for a contemporary audience.
Cast, Creative Team, and Show Details
The ensemble features Sarita Choudhury from And Just Like That, Michael Cyril Creighton from Only Murders in the Building, and Tony Award nominee Daphne Rubin-Vega. Derek McLane designed the sets, Catherine Zuber created costumes, and Jeff Croiter handled lighting. The production is presented by The New Group at their new permanent home in New York’s Theater District.
| Production Detail | Information |
| Venue | Theatre at St. Clement’s, New York |
| First Preview | March 24, 2026 |
| Opening Night | April 14, 2026 |
| Closing Date | May 10, 2026 (Recently Extended) |
“Her character is absolutely insufferable, and she nailed every single second of it.”
— Theater Review, Off-Broadway NYC
Why This Revival Matters Now
The Adding Machine premiered in 1923 as a landmark of American experimental theater. Nearly a century later, the play’s warnings about workplace automation and loss of identity feel surprisingly urgent. The existential journey Mr. Zero experiences after being replaced by a machine echoes modern anxieties about job displacement and corporate control.
Director Scott Elliott and The New Group have revived this text with revisions by Thomas Bradshaw to sharpen its contemporary relevance. Jennifer Tilly and the ensemble ensure that the political edge stays razor-sharp. The production refuses to let the satire feel quaint or historical.
How Long Can You Catch Jennifer Tilly in The Adding Machine
The Adding Machine closes on May 10, 2026, giving audiences just over one month to experience Jennifer Tilly’s fearless off-Broadway debut with The New Group. Tickets are available through major platforms and the production’s official website. After a strong run that began with first preview on March 24, the show recently announced an extension due to popular demand.
Will Jennifer Tilly’s theatrical return lead to more stage work? Will the production announce another extension? The off-Broadway community is watching closely as this bold, text-centered drama continues to challenge and entertain audiences in New York’s Theater District.
