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From NorwalkPlus.com Entertainment
In a gripping tale that sparks the imagination and blurs the lines between reality and fantasy, a young, naïve governess journeys to a lonely English manor house to care for two recently orphaned children. The story she tells – which was “written in a diary in faded ink” – is a story of terror and horror. The details of the diary – a letter, a locket, a riddle and a name – weave a chilling story that reveals unexplained mysteries about the house’s extraordinary past. “’The Turn of the Screw’ is pure theatre,” said Tazewell Thompson, Westport Country Playhouse artistic director. “Pure theatre that starts from a gem of a story, given new life and new meaning on the stage, by brilliant actors. You won’t always be certain what you’re seeing, but you won’t dare look away.” He added, “You will get goosebumps!” Cast members are Charlotte Parry as The Governess and Tom Beckett playing The Man and other roles. On Broadway, Ms. Parry appeared in “Coram Boy” and “The Real Thing” as Debbie, a role she repeated in a London West End production. Other London productions include “Whistle Down the Wind” and “The Blue Room.” With Sir Peter Hall Company, she was in “The Importance of Being Earnest” and “As You Like It,” both at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles , Brooklyn Academy of Music, national tour and London . Tom Beckett appeared at Westport Country Playhouse as Grover et al in “On the Verge” (2006), Uriah Heep in “David Copperfield” (2005) and Tranio in “The Taming of the Shrew” (1994). On Broadway, he appeared in “Bobbi Boland,” “Epic Proportions” and “The Father.” Off-Broadway, he received Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for “Travels with My Aunt.” On television he played the role of Mr. Foley on “Remember WENN” for four years and earned a SAG Award nomination. Loy Arcenas, director and set designer, directed and set designed “Old Wicked Songs” last season and designed “Trumbo” in 2004 for Westport Country Playhouse. Other directing credits include “No Foreigners Beyond This Point,” which received a Drama Desk Award nomination for Best Play. His collaboration with Lonnie Carter on “The Romance of Magno Rubio” received eight Obie citations, including one for his direction, and Jefferson Award nominations for best new production and best ensemble. He has received for his design work the L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award, the Bay Area Critics Circle Award, two Drama Desk nominations, the Jefferson Award, the Michael Merritt Award for design collaboration, and the Obie for sustained excellence of scenic design. The production team for “The Turn of the Screw” includes Candace Donnelly, costumes; Robert Wierzel, lighting, whose work at Westport Country Playhouse includes this season’s “Sedition”; and Fabian Obispo, sound and composition, who did this season’s “Mary’s Wedding” and “Sedition,” and last season’s “Old Wicked Songs” at the Playhouse. Deborah Hecht is dialect coach; Liz Woodman, casting director; and Donald Fried, production stage manager. Author Henry James wrote the short-story, “The Turn of the Screw” in 1898. Among his other novels are “Daisy Miller” (1879), “ Washington Square ” (1881), “Portrait of a Lady” (1881), “The Wings of a Dove” (1902) and “The Ambassadors” (1903). Jeffrey Hatcher, who adapted Henry James’ work, is one of the most frequently produced playwrights in the U.S. He adapted his acclaimed stage play “Compleat Female Stage Beauty” for the screen. He wrote the screenplay “Casanova” for director Lasse Hallstrom, as well as screenplays for directors Steven Shainberg (“Secretary”) and Kim Pierce (“Boys Don’t Cry”). He has also written for the Peter Falk TV series “Columbo” and E! Entertainment Television. His many award-winning original plays have been performed on Broadway, Off-Broadway and regionally across the U.S. and abroad. Hatcher wrote the book for the Broadway musical “Never Gonna Dance,” based on the Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers film “Swingtime,” and co-authored with Mitch Albom the stage version of the bestseller “Tuesdays with Morrie.” Westport Country Playhouse’s 2007 season continues with Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” a holiday classic with music, adapted and directed by Tazewell Thompson , November 23 through December 29. Playhouse Information Following a multi-million dollar renovation completed in 2005, the Playhouse is now open year-round, welcoming 85,000 audience members annually. On its legendary stage are theatrical productions, educational programming and special events, including film, readings of short fiction and new plays, and a Family Festivities series. The rich history of the Westport Country Playhouse dates back to 1931, when New York theatre producers Lawrence Langner and his wife Armina Marshall created a Broadway-quality stage within an 1830s cow barn. Now celebrating its 77th season, the Playhouse has produced more than 700 plays, 35 of which later transferred to Broadway. Its roster of actors reads like a "Who's Who" of the American theatre. Westport Country Playhouse serves as a treasured home for the performing arts for audiences and artists alike, and as a true cultural landmark for Connecticut . “The Turn of the Screw” board of trustees sponsor is Westport Resources. 2007 Westport Country Playhouse production sponsors are The Private Bank of Bank of America (“All About Us”), Cohen and Wolf, P.C. (“Relatively Speaking”), Westport Resources (“The Turn of the Screw”), SPECS (“A Christmas Carol”), and Playhouse board members Howard J. Aibel, Darlene F. Krenz, Laurie Lister and Judd Burstein, Elisabeth and Stanley Morten, Jody Robbins, Ann Sheffer and Bill Scheffler, Barbara and John Streicker, Sharon Sullivan and Jeff Kindler, and Joanne Woodward. 2007 Westport Country Playhouse season sponsors are the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Northern Trust, 2007 Student Sponsor. Balducci’s, Castle Wine & Spirits, Mitchells of Westport, Moffly Publications, SPECS and Steinway Piano Gallery Westport are 2007 in-kind sponsors. The Playhouse is a 501(c) (3) not-for-profit organization. Performance Schedule and Ticket Information: The performance schedule for “The Turn of the Screw” is Tuesday at 8 p.m., Wednesday at 2 and 8 p.m., Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Opening night, including a post-performance party, is on Saturday, October 13. Sunday Symposium on October 14 will bring authorities on the themes of the play to provide the audience with insights on historical and dramatic context. Prologue on Friday, October 19, offers a pre-show, half-hour conversation with Tazewell Thompson providing details about the production. Open Captioning is available on Sunday, October 21, when audience members with varying degrees of hearing loss can watch an easy-to-read digital screen with scrolling words in synchronization with the performance. During Backstage Pass on Wednesday, October 24, following the matinee, the production staff explains the play’s technical aspects including sets, lights, props, sound, costumes and special effects. On TalkBack Thursday, October 25, members of the company return to the stage after the performance for a lively discussion with the audience. Single tickets are $30 to $55; $65 for opening night with reception. Flex tickets are available. Students and educators are eligible for 50% discounts. Groups of 10 or more save up to 30% off the regular ticket price. For group sales information call (203) 227-5137, x120. For more information or to receive a season brochure, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit the box office at 25 Powers Court , off Route 1, Westport . Information about the 2007 season and the Playhouse is also available at www.westportplayhouse.org. © Copyright by NorwalkPlus.com |
