Classic Stage Company is set to debut the world premiere of Marcel on the Train, an inventive new play that reexamines the early life of legendary mime Marcel Marceau through the lens of courage, imagination, and survival. Co-written by Marshall Pailet and Tony Award nominee Ethan Slater, and directed by Pailet, the production begins previews on February 5, 2026, with an opening night scheduled for February 22. The limited engagement will run through March 14 at CSC’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater in Manhattan’s East Village.
Rather than focusing on Marceau’s global fame, the play turns its attention to a lesser-known but deeply consequential chapter of his life. Set during World War II in Nazi-occupied France, Marcel on the Train explores how a young Marceau helped guide Jewish children to safety. The story emphasizes the power of creativity and silence as tools of resistance, presenting heroism not through spectacle, but through quiet resolve and humanity under pressure.
Ethan Slater stars as Marcel, continuing his ongoing relationship with Classic Stage Company following acclaimed performances in Assassins and earlier development work at the theater. The cast also includes Julie Benko, Harrison Bryan, Maddie Corman, Max Gordon Moore, Aaron Serotsky, and Alex Wyse, with additional casting to be announced. Harrison Bryan will understudy the role of Marcel, appearing in the performance on March 1 when Slater is scheduled to be out.
The creative team brings together designers known for emotionally grounded storytelling, including set designer Scott Davis, costume designer Sarah Laux, lighting designer Brandon Stirling Baker, sound designer Jill BC DuBoff, and casting director Geoff Josselson. The production is presented by special arrangement with Mix and Match Productions.
Marcel on the Train is part of CSC’s broader 2025–2026 season, which balances rediscovered classics with new works that reflect enduring themes of identity, resilience, and moral choice. The season also includes The Baker’s Wife and the New York premiere of Thornton Wilder’s final play, The Emporium.
With its intimate scale and historical weight, Marcel on the Train aligns closely with Classic Stage Company’s mission to reimagine great stories in ways that speak to contemporary audiences. By illuminating the unseen moments that shaped one of the twentieth century’s most iconic performers, the production invites audiences to reflect on how imagination itself can become an act of defiance.