The 78th Street Theatre Lab's programming would fit easily alongside that of the theaters on 4th St., like La MaMa, New York Theater Workshop, W.O.W. and the two theaters at KGB.

The sightlines are good: The ambience is intimate and the passion is palpable. Ultimately, the Lab is proof that you don't need to go downtown to see downtown theater. If you live in the Upper West Side, they'll bring it to you.