Written by Jesse Malin and Wilder L. Ludwig Directed by Ellie Heyman Produced by ArKtype & David Bason
Following an acclaimed sleeper-hit run at Bowery Palace, MEET ME AT THE END OF THE WORLD (formerly Silver Manhattan), the 2026 Drama Desk-nominated rock musical that “succeeds on every level” (Variety) returns to share the rise, fall, and rise again of beloved singer-songwriter Jesse Malin. A true New York original and your favorite songwriter’s favorite songwriter, Malin built a remarkable career, from CBGB at 12 years old to Madison Square Garden and stages around the world, collaborating with Bruce Springsteen, Lucinda Williams, Green Day, and more. Then, in 2023, everything changed when Malin suffered a rare and unexpected spinal stroke that left him paralyzed from the waist down. When you’ve been to the top, the bottom hits hard. MEET ME AT THE END OF THE WORLD is a raw, funny, moving, and ultimately inspiring story of a life fully lived.
JESSE MALIN (Co-Writer / Producer / Lead Performer). When Jesse Malin was only 12, he formed one of the first-ever New York hardcore bands, Heart Attack, and in 1981 they put out their debut single. The band was short-lived, but they left an impact having played with the likes of Beastie Boys, Black Flag, and The Misfits. Malin’s next band D Generation formed in the 90s and built a strong following with their incendiary live shows. As a result, major labels took interest, and several records were released via EMI and Sony. Their 1996 sophomore effort No Lunch was produced by former Cars leader Ric Ocasek and received a 5-star review by David Fricke of Rolling Stone. The band began touring the world supporting Social Distortion, The Ramones, Kiss, and Green Day. Dissatisfied with the rock audience’s lack of attention to the detail of his songs, Malin embarked on a solo career, focusing on crafting stories through his music. His evocative songwriting across eight solo albums paired with his compelling live shows have received critical praise and cultivated a rabid global fan base. Malin’s songwriting, style, persona and swagger have earned him respect amongst his peers, resulting in collaborations with Bob Weir (Grateful Dead) and Bruce Springsteen and even catching the attention of Martin Scorsese who cast him in his film Bringing Out the Dead. He has appeared multiple times on national late night and morning television. Malin’s resilience was tested in 2023 when he suffered a spinal stroke. After months of recovery, he triumphantly returned to the stage, playing a powerful sold out, two-night stint at The Beacon Theatre. The event witnessed fans from around the world gather in support of his journey and his unwavering passion and commitment to his art. In September 2024, Silver Patron Saints: The Songs of Jesse Malin was released. The tribute and benefit album features 22 of Malin’s songs recorded by a wide range of artists and friends including Bruce Springsteen, Billie Joe Armstrong, Lucinda Williams, Elvis Costello, Counting Crows, Dinosaur Jr., Bleachers (Jack Antonoff), Tom Morello, Spoon, Rancid, and others. More recently, Malin completed a memoir, offering an intimate look at his determination, manifestation of dreams to overcome challenges with cinematic stories from along the way. Jesse Malin continues to inspire with his ability to blend raw emotion and infectious energy. His journey remains a testament to the power of music as medicine to heal, connect, and transform. Malin has a lifelong commitment to charity, community and activism via such organizations such as Rock Against Racism, Love Rocks/Gods Love We Deliver, Light of Day, Music Cares, Jail Guitar Doors, Music and Memory, and his own Gates of the West and Love it to Life. His autobiography Almost Grown was released in April with Akashic Books.
Wilder L. Ludwig
Playwright
Wilder L. Ludwig
Playwright
WILDER L. LUDWIG (all pronouns) is a queer writer/director specializing in comedy, interactive storytelling, and creating communities for artists. Ludwig has directed comedies for FX, NBC, SonyCrackle, and truTV; her indie pilot “Everyone Together” was an official SXSW 2020 selection and won Best Comedy Pilot at SeriesFest. She is in-house director for Lost Moon Radio (NBC's Bring the Funny) and co-creator/director of the animated series “Ex-Girlfiend” (FXX/Cake). Ludwig co-founded the award-winning Los Angeles immersive-theater company Capital W, winner of Best Overall Immersive Work at Hollywood Fringe and the Game Design Award at IndieCade. She was Director of AFI's Directing Workshop for Women and co-founded Wayward, a creative retreat for women and nonbinary artists—and is a passionate advocate for LGBTQ+ and BIPOC artists.
Ellie Heyman
Director
Ellie Heyman
Director
ELLIE HEYMAN is a director of theater and film whose work—known for emotional depth and a visually imaginative aesthetic—won the Drama League Award for Outstanding Production in 2021 and has been nominated for Drama Desk, Lortel, Bessie, and PGA Awards. Her piece The Great Work Begins, featuring Glenn Close, Laura Linney, and Brian Tyree Henry, was named "Best of 2020" by The New York Times and New York Magazine. She directed The Traveling Imaginary, rated a "top five show of the year" by NPR, and codeveloped the podcast The Orbiting Human Circus (of the Air), downloaded over five million times and featuring John Cameron Mitchell, Tim Robbins, and Mandy Patinkin. Heyman is a Northwestern/Boston University (MFA) graduate, Drama League Directing Fellow, and Time Warner Directing Fellow at WP Theatre.
