mission
brooklynONE productions (bkONE) was founded as a creative haven for bold, alternative, and experimental works — both original and reimagined. Rooted in a vibrant community of artists, bkONE is dedicated to expanding the boundaries of performing arts in Brooklyn and beyond. With a deep focus on collaboration and the artistic process, we cultivate thought-provoking performances and projects that showcase artists of all ages and experience levels.
history
About brooklynONE productions (bkONE):
brooklynONE productions (bkONE) was founded in 2006 by Anthony Marino and Tom Kane as a haven for emerging artists. Based in the heart of Brooklyn, the company develops bold, innovative, and experimental performances — from original works to reimagined classics — spanning theatre, film, music, mixed media, and more.
From 2006 to 2014, bkONE called the historic Church of the Generals in Bay Ridge home. When the church closed in 2014, the company entered a nomadic chapter — producing one-off events and performances throughout New York City from 2015 to 2022. That journey eventually led to a creative partnership with Industry City, where bkONE began performing regularly and ultimately established its permanent home: The Tom Kane Theatre, an intimate black box-style performance space at the center of a thriving arts community.
bkONE maintains strong ties to its Brooklyn roots and remains committed to fostering collaboration, supporting artists of all ages and experience levels, and expanding access to transformative performance experiences throughout NYC and beyond.
the legend - from Tom Kane
"On November 13, 1993, a dream was born. We had just completed the final performance of The Life & Times Of Matthew Ryan, my first play, and after the emotional farewells to the cast and crew, I slept like a baby. I dreamt of a place where artists were free to write, direct, star, sing, and make poetry to perform to throngs of uplifting gormandizers....Then I woke up and went to work on Wall Street.
Thirteen years and seven plays later: brooklynONE was born. March 19, 2006
Two very important dates. November 13 is when Felix Ungar was asked to remove himself from his place of residence (that request came from his wife) and March 19 is Anthony Marino's birthday. I said to him on birthday #24... "let's start our own theater company... we'll call it BrooklynONE."
So, the youngest member of the cast of Matthew Ryan and the author of said play became partners in the land of my dreams from 13 years ago... AND AWAY WE GO
"Let the play begin" ---
We are... brooklynONE
A biography of our late co-founder Tom Kane.“Art is alive in Brooklyn! You’d be delusional to think anything else could be more fun”
A Legacy.
Tom Kane was a life long resident of Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. The son of Tom and Kandy Kane, he grew up on 88th street with his two sisters, Kerry and Kimberly. Tom spent his formative years as a student at St. Patricks School, and then spent happy years at Xaverian High School where he remained an active alumnus. Tom continued his education at State University of New Paltz. He went to have a career on Wall Street that spanned over 25 years, his last five as Vice President at Credit Lyonnais.
Tom was committed to the youth in the community. Whether in sports, development, arts or other activities his work was invaluable. Tom spent many years as a sports coach for CYO baseball and various teams and leagues; he also served as Commissioner of Baseball for St. Patrick's Parish. After retiring from Wall Street, he worked as a teacher/behavioral therapist for Thursday's Child, an early intervention program for Autistic children. Tom's commitment to the youth was further sealed when he joined the Board of Directors of the Francesco Loccisano Memorial Foundation, an organization that helps families with children fighting cancer.
Tom's dedication to the community and it's many important projects was exemplary. This could be seen in his activism towards the arts. Throughout the years Tom spent time performing with every theatre group in the area. Whether it was Sts. Simon and Jude Players, NCT, Samaha Productions or Xaverian's Alumni Theatre group (where Tom honed his craft of song and playwriting), Tom was a familiar face on stage. After Tom found success in various shows he finally penned his own musical in 1993 for Xaverian's Alumni group, "The Life and Times of Matthew Ryan". This show provided Tom the confidence and inspiration to continue to write plays and songs for the rest of his career. The show would also spark life long friendships and partnerships. After having some other original works produced by various other companies including TSI/Playtime stories in Manhattan, Tom decided it was time to bring his own theatrical flavors back to Bay Ridge. brooklynONE was co-founded in 2006 by Tom as a place for artists to explore the craft of theatre making and all of its aspects. It continues to produce experimental theatre works and events of all kinds, and remains strong in the ideals he brought to it.
Finally, Tom did become the voice of Bay Ridge. In 2006 he began work as community editor for the Bay Ridge Eagle and contributing writer for the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. His Citizen Kane column became a staple of the community, and it was not uncommon for Tom to feature even the more obscure Brooklyn events in his weekly read. The column became the corner stone to the then new and unknown local paper. He was able to capture the essence of who he was and his relationship to community in his column. In his memory the Bay Ridge Eagle continued to print his column with his friends and co-works contributing to it for several months after his passing.
Tom lived everyday for others... and now brooklynONE will continue to produce works with his legacy a source of continued inspiration.