The Great Gatsby’s Noah J. Ricketts co-stars in a special industry reading of a new play by Joseph Alan Smith
November 3 & 4, 2025 at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Creative Center

More info below.

DROUGHT, a new play by Joseph Alan Smith, will get an NYC industry presentation. Two invitation-only performances will be held on November 3rd and 4th at 3PM at Manhattan Theatre Club’s Creative Center (311 West 43rd Street). Industry professionals interested in attending should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

DROUGHT is set in the summer of 2023 in a quiet southern part of Texas that is going on day 83 of no rain and on the way to setting a record drought. Max Barker, adjusted to city life, returns home to take care of his ailing, Alzheimer’s stricken mother. As he comes to grips with his new reality, he encounters someone even more life changing, forcing him to decide between his past and his future.

Directed by Ethan Paulini (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie), DROUGHT will be led by Noah J. Ricketts (The Great Gatsby, Fellow Travelers -- pictured above), Ben Davis (Heathers), and Xavier McKinnon (Wicked, Heathers). Additional casting includes Gabrielle McClinton (Moulin Rouge), Davi Santos (Tell Me a Story), Becca Ayers (1776, My Fair Lady), Glori Dei Filippone (Floating Carousel), and Sandra Okuboyejo (Hamilton, Brilliant Minds). Be Loud Theatricals is producing the presentations. Eszter Zador will serve as production stage manager.

Originally from the midwest, as an Iowa Arts Council Grant recipient, Joseph Alan Smith developed and produced a ten-episode short form series, Outed where he has since expanded it into a one-hour pilot. Additional writing credits include Faces, a new musical where he was a semifinalist at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Conference.

Ethan Paulini is a director, performer, choreographer, writer and educator. He is currently the Producing Artistic Director of the Weathervane Theatre in Whitefield, NH an AEA alternating repertory theatre entering its 61st season. Directing credits include the North American Premiere of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, the world premiere of Kelly Strandemo’s Primary and the New York revival of Maltby and Shire’s Baby which was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Best Revival of a Musical. He also co-produced the cast album on Broadway records. He was previously the Associate Artistic Director of Out of the Box Theatrics. As a performer, he has appeared extensively in New York and Regional Theatre, National Tours, Television, Film and Commercials. Training: Emerson College. Member AEA. Proud Member SAG-AFTRA, SDC.