Saint, George Street Playhouse's Artistic Visionary, Retiring After 27 Years

David Saint, who has been the artistic visionary behind George Street Playhouse for almost 30 years, will be retiring at the conclusion of the current season.

A new artistic director will be announced with the full 2025-26 season in the spring, according to a statement released by the company.

George Street Playhouse will honor Saint at the 2025 Gala, which will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 4:30 p.m. at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center. 

Since becoming the artistic director in 1997, Saint has directed nearly 50 mainstage productions, including most recently Jonathan Larson’s “tick, tick...BOOM!” and Chris Bohjalian’s “The Club,” along with past productions such as ‘Tales from the Guttenberg Bible” written by and starring Steve Guttenberg; virtual productions of “Fully Committed” and “Tiny Beautiful Things;” “Midwives;” “Conscience; The Trial of Donna Caine;” “American Son;” “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” and “An Act of God.”

Saint has also introduced a variety of new award-winning productions, including the world premieres of “The Toxic Avenger,” “Proof,” “The Spitfire Grill,” “Clever Little Lies” and “It Shoulda Been You.”

Featuring a book by Joe DiPietro with music and lyrics by David Bryan, “The Toxic Avenger” received an Outer Critics Circle Award for outstanding new off-Broadway musical following its run at George Street Playhouse. The show has been staged internationally, with productions in Toronto, Melbourne, London, Edinburgh and other major cities. 

David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Proof” was first developed at George Street Playhouse, before earning the Tony Award for best play in 2001. It was later adapted into a film starring Gwyneth Paltrow, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anthony Hopkins and Hope Davis in 2005.

Based on the hit 1996 film, “The Spitfire Grill” featuring music by James Valcq, lyrics by Fred Alley and a book by James Valcq and Fred Alley won the Richard Rodgers Production Award given by the American Academy of Arts and Letters.

Following the musical’s off-Broadway transfer, “The Spitfire Grill” received Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Award nominations.

Joe DiPietro’s “Clever Little Lies” transferred to New York’s Westside Theatre in 2015 with Saint at the helm, after its successful run at George Street.

Saint also programmed “It Shoulda Been You” in 2011, before transferring to Broadway with Tyne Daly, where it was nominated for six Outer Critics Circle Awards, three Drama League Awards and three Drama Desk Awards.

“It has truly been my privilege and honor to run George Street Playhouse for the past 27 years,” Saint said. “I now feel it’s time to step down and hand over the reins to new artistic leadership who will hopefully bring their own vision for shaping the future of this organization. I only hope the role brings them as much pleasure and rewards as it did me.

With Saint as its driving force, George Street moved into its new home at the $172 million New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in 2019. That move was quickly followed by a shutdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through it all, George Street continues to be known for productions that tell stories with heart through diverse voices.

With Saint as the company’s artistic director, George Street has welcomed the works of writers such as Arthur Laurents, Anne Meara, A.R. Gurney, Joe DiPietro, Stephen Sondheim, Chris Bohjalian, Winnie Holzman and Emily Mann.

Executive Director Edgar Herrera called Saint a remarkable leader whose passion for theater is infectious.

“Mentored by the legendary Arthur Laurents, David has carried forward a legacy of bold storytelling, artistic excellence and an unwavering commitment to the craft,” Herrera said. “His vision, his experience and his relentless dedication have lifted GSP to new heights.”