Broadway and Off-Broadway audiences are about to see a side of Marcel Marceau few ever knew. Tony nominee Ethan Slater (SpongeBob SquarePants, Wicked) will star as the legendary mime in Marcel on the Train, a new play that sheds light on Marceau’s heroic efforts in Nazi-occupied France, long before he became a household name for his iconic silent performances.
The play, co-created with director Marshall Pailet, will make its world premiere Off-Broadway at Classic Stage Company (CSC) in February 2026. Previews begin February 5 at CSC’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater, ahead of a February 22 opening, with performances running through March 15. While additional casting announcements are forthcoming, the initial lineup already includes Julie Benko (Harmony), Maddie Corman (Accidentally Brave), Max Gordon Moore (Tammy Faye), Aaron Serotsky (August: Osage County), and Alex Wyse (Good Night, Oscar).
Slater, who earned a Tony nomination for his role as SpongeBob on Broadway and appeared in Wicked on the big screen as Boq, is no stranger to physically demanding roles. In Marcel on the Train, he channels Marceau’s artistry and courage, portraying the mime not only as an entertainer but as a courageous young man navigating one of history’s darkest periods.
The play tells the story of Marceau’s little-known contributions to the French Resistance during World War II. Before rising to global fame as the world’s greatest mime, Marceau used his wits, courage, and imagination to guide Jewish children to safety under Nazi occupation. Marcel on the Train explores the tension and danger of these missions, revealing the man behind the invisible mask, and giving audiences a deeper appreciation of Marceau’s legacy beyond the stage.
Pailet’s direction emphasizes the interplay between history and artistry, using mime, movement, and inventive staging to immerse viewers in the perilous world Marceau navigated. The production design team includes Scott Davis (Set Designer), Sarah Laux (Costume Designer), Brandon Stirling Baker (Lighting Designer), Jill BC DuBoff (Sound Designer), and Geoff Josselson (Casting). Marcel on the Train is presented by special arrangement with Mix and Match Productions, led by Maxwell Beer and Mitch Marois.
The story resonates not only as historical drama but also as a meditation on courage, imagination, and the quiet ways individuals resist oppression. Audiences will witness a young man risking everything for others, relying on ingenuity and artistry to outsmart danger—foreshadowing the expressive brilliance that would later make him a global icon.
Slater’s involvement bridges Broadway and Off-Broadway audiences, bringing star power and credibility to a project that combines education, history, and theater magic. For theatergoers, Marcel on the Train promises to be an emotionally rich, visually inventive production that both entertains and enlightens.
In an era where stories of bravery and resistance continue to resonate, this play shines a light on a legendary figure in a way few could imagine: silent, courageous, and unforgettable. As audiences prepare to meet Marcel Marceau the hero—not just the mime—Marcel on the Train is poised to be one of Off-Broadway’s most compelling and poignant premieres of 2026.