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Home , David Storey, Helen Menken, Marcus Paus, Nancy Opel, Ralph Richardson, Sidney Howard

Administrative Offices TheACTORS COMPANY THEATRE Summer Newsletter 900 Broadway, Suite 905 8 2006/2007 New York, NY 10003 T. 212 645-TACT(8228) F. 212 462-2678 (fax) COMPANY NEWS continued from page 6 tact E. [email protected] TheACTORS COMPANY THEATRE www.TACTnyc.org Scott Alan Evans, Cynthia Harris & Simon Jones tact tactics this summer in Philadelphia. John has been Intelligent Life In The Universe. Later this summer Co-Artistic Directors TACTICS is published twice yearly TheACTORS COMPANY THEATRE NEWSLETTER spreading TACT’s love affair between the text and she will be directing the world premiere of Richard C OMPANY the actor with students all across America as he Thompson’s (no relation) play Big Doolie at the 10th Sean Arbuckle, Mary Bacon, Jamie Bennett, Eve Bianco, Vol. 14 No.1 Summer 2006/07 conducts seminars at various Universities while on Anniversary New York International Fringe Festival. Nora Chester, Cynthia Darlow, Francesca Di Mauro, tour. For more info visit www.bigdoolie.com Kyle Fabel, Richard Ferrone, Rachel Fowler, You can catch SCOTT SCHAFER in the Alan And last, but far from least, ASHLEY WEST has Delphi Harrington, Kelly Hutchinson, Larry Keith, Ayckbourn who-done-it It Could Be Any One Of Us at been spending a good deal of time down in at the Jack Koenig, Darrie Lawrence, Greg McFadden, 2006/07 Season Features the Depot Theatre in Westport, NY July 3 - 23. Take Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota. This winter she James Murtaugh, Margaret Nichols, John Plumpis, the Amtrak “Montrealer” to Canada and jump off in appeared in The Play About the Baby, and she just James Prendergast, Gregory Salata, Scott Schafer, David Staller, Jenn Thompson, Ashley West, Lynn Wright 2 Full Productions! Westport. The theatre is in the Historic Landmark recently returned from teaching a teen acting work- train station! shop there. This summer she’ll be playing ADJUNCT C OMPANY Adrianna in The Comedy Of Errors here in the city Dawn Dunlop, Jonathan Faiman, Mary Louise Geiger, JONATHAN SMITH is busy conducting this year’s TACT Takes Up Residence at THEATRE ROW on West 42nd Street with the New York Classical Theatre. David Macdonald, Colin McGrath, Jenny Noterman, Marcus Tony winner for Best Musical Jersey Boys. He Paus, Yuzuru Sadashige, John Slover, recently helped develop a new Jonathan Smith, David Toser, Joseph Trapasso Because we intend these changes to provide unrivaled value piece about modern motherhood with songwriter TACTis taking some exciting and ambitious steps forward to our subscribers, the cost of a subscription to TACT will remain Tina DeVaron, book writer Pam Lobley and director BOARD OF DIRECTORS for our 2006/07 season, and we wanted you to be among the first Interested in Getting Stephen Lindenmuth, Chairman, the same. In addition to the two full productions, which at current (former TACT member) Nancy Opel, tentatively to know about them. Darya Geetter, President titled Homework. Off-Broadway prices would normally cost at least $50 a seat, you Involved with TACT? Holly Etlin, Treasurer We will be mounting two fully realized productions in an Off-

move! will receive special access to our exclusive “Broadway” space. With DAVID STALLER’s new theatre company, Gingold John Adams, George Bunn, Patricia Dugan, for extended runs of up to 20 performances more opportunities than ever to see top-notch performers in excel- Theatrical Group is continuing to produce the wild- Linda Greenberg, Gail Levenstein, each. Those of you who saw Long Island Sound and The Triangle lent plays that, because of today’s prohibitive expenses, are very ly popular Project Shaw at the Players Club Volunteer and Susan Mindel, William Pinzler Factory Fire Project can appreciate how stimulating it can be to see

(212/475-6116). Each reading thus far has been e unlikely ever to be seen elsewhere, we’re certain that this will be the GENERAL MANAGER your favorite TACT actors put down their books and really let rip. As sold-out. Articles about the series have appeared in internship positions Cathy Bencivenga best TACTseason yet. several papers including a feature article in the much as we enjoy our unique Concert Performance format, it is EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR We are thrilled with these developments and we hope you will Sunday Times. (Visit: Projectshaw.com) David available. good to be occasionally released from its restraints. So, we’ve Scott Alan Evans come along with us for what we believe will be a wonderfully enliven - appeared in the hit Irish Rep production of Shaw’s entered into a special agreement with Theatre Row on West 42nd DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Mrs. Warren’s Profession with Dana Ivey, directed by ing and enriching ride. For details about our Early Bird Jennifer Clarke th Street to be one of its resident theatre companies next season. We Charlotte Moore. He continues with his voice-overs, Subscription, see page 7. will no longer make use of the Florence Gould Hall (those audience writing, and travels. Coming up: trips to India and Call 212/645-TACT (8228) ATTORNEY Jennifer Cowan Brazil. members who regard a visit there akin to mountaineering without for more information or email us at Debevoise & Plimpton Opening Production - HOME n ropes will be relieved, we are sure). But fear not! We’re not aban- JENN THOMPSON is in Indiana at the New [email protected] TACT is proud to announce that the inaugural play of its first TACT is a non-profit 501(c)(3) doning all we hold dear. Theatre doing Search For Signs Of full production season will be Home by . Many of our organization and a member of the Alliance of Resident

o In fact, we’re expanding our play reading series as well. Next loyal audience will remember TACT’s 2004 Concert Performance Theatres /New York season we’ll be presenting six plays in our Salon Series (complete

production of the play, featuring company members Cynthia

with post-show Q and A, refreshments, and good conversation) all

Inside - page 7! page - Inside Darlow, Cynthia Harris, Simon Jones, and Larry Keith. The work

s at the TACT Studio. These private readings are only available to our

Season was so strong we felt it needed a full viewing, and so did The New Subscription Early Bird Bird Early i subscribers and TACT company member guests! And, of course, York Times , who deemed our production “sublime” and “an excel- all our productions feature original music composed especially for lent case for a full-scale revisiting.” TACT’s original cast will reunite th TACT through our on-going creative partnership with the for this special production of Home in December 2006 at the

T School of Music. Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row. 4 by David Storey

1 HOME TAC December 2006 at Theatre Row

14th Seasoncontinues on page2

tact Company News

1. takt; 2. taet, n.

TAC The Board of Directors is please to announce the addition of . . (NOT). But she did find time to make several personal appear-

T

i

s dedicated to presenting

o n GEORGE R. BUNN, JR., Esq. to the company’s board. Mr. Bunn ances at the casino while working at the National Sales Meeting 1 th 4 e move! infrequently-seen plays Season is a self-employed attorney who is interested in the theater and for Daiichi-Sankyo pharmaceuticals at the Mandalay Bay Resort of literary merit with an empha- various sports, particularly golf. and Casino. She is delighted to be able to join TACT for its out-

sis on creating theatre from its reach events in Lewisburg this July. Then it is off to play “Big

t has been a busy and exciting Spring for many of our “TAC- th essence: the text and the actor’s Mama” in Cat On A Hot Tin Roof at The Monomoy Theatre in TORS” ... engagements, new children, new shows, and plenty ability to bring it to life. Chatham, MA on Cape Cod, August 15 - 19. Iof critical acclaim in theatres all across the country! Read on

Infrequently-seen: adj. phrase. unpro- to see who’s been up to what and pay attention to where you can CYNTHIA DARLOW stood by for Tyne Daly in Rabbit Hole on duced in a first-class production in NYC

catch us in productions this summer! Broadway (5 Tony nominations!). Cynthia also narrated several

within the last 15 years. books, had a small part in an upcoming feature film with Laura Summer News 2006/07 News Summer MARY BACON spent Feb/March in Rochester at the Geva Theatre Literary merit: n. laudable language of Linney, and Phil Bosco, called The doing a new play, Iron Kisses. She is currently performing in particular interest, uniqueness; or repre- Savages Trouble In , and is currently playing 11 characters in

sentative of a specific period or era. Treason at the Perry Street Theatre from June 8th-July 22nd, and

Paradise for The Hourglass Group at the Hudson Guild Theatre 900 Broadway Suite 905 New York, NY 10003 NY York, New 905 Suite Broadway 900 then will play Julia in The Rivals at NJ Shakespeare Festival August

Concert Performance: n.fully rehearsed, through the end of July. After that, she and husband, TACTor

minimally staged presentations that allow 1-27th. COMPANY THEATRE COMPANY ACTORS The Richard Ferrone, are looking forward to some summer vacation act

t you and your imagination to be a part of Permit No. 70 No. Permit the creative event. With original incidental JAMIE BENNETT appeared in ’s The Traveling Lady time!

at EST, which was nominated for a Drama Desk for Best Revival Woodbridge, VA Woodbridge, musical scores commissioned exclusively for Board member PATRICIA DUGAN continues to toil in the scald-

this spring. Not one to rest on his laurels, Jamie then tackled

our production through a unique partner- ing hot real estate market of . As one of The P A I D I A P ship with The Manhattan School of Music. wake-surfing (proof - there is a picture floating around the inter-

Corcoran Group Real Estate top producers she says her involve-

net!). U.S. Postage U.S. Our 2005/06 season is made possi- ment with TACT helps keep her cool (and sane!).

ble with public funds from the New NORA CHESTERrecently returned from Las Vegas where she per- NON-PROFIT ORG. NON-PROFIT York State Council on the Arts, a DAWN DUNLOP recently stage managed Almost September (our State agency and is supported in part formed her close-up magic act in the Lounge at Caesar’s Palace . by public funds from the New York own Scott Schafer was in the premiere production at St. Louis City Department of Cultural Affairs COMPANY NEWS continues on page 6 2 TheACTORS COMPANY THEATRE Summer Newsletter Summer Newsletter TheACTORS COMPANY THEATRE 7 2006/2007 2006/2007 th 2006/07 TACT SALON SERIES This season TACT’s 2006/07 Salon Series will include six offer- Early Bird Subscriptions ings – and a varied and intriguing group of plays they are – none of 14 Season which have been seen in New York City for many a year. There will be Moving into our new production format is changing the way we do a few things. approximately one play a month beginning in September and continu- ing through May. The series will include some titles you may have heard TACTisonthemove! of and some that will, perhaps, be new to you; there are American plays, Here’s what subscribers should know… ( continued ) such as Rain, by John Colton and Kind Lady by Edward Chodorov, and We strive to provide an incomparable value to our loyal subscribers. Our subscription package includes our two full productions at British plays like The Chinese Prime Minister by End Bagnold and Man and Theatre Row and your choice of any four of our Salon readings. Six plays total, all for just $90. Boy by . Playwright David Storey, born in 1933 in , West Yorkshire, did not have early aspi- Like our Concert Performances, the plays in our Salon Series will rations towards writing; in fact, he wanted to be a painter. His father was a coal miner who spent be presented three times: Saturday evening, Sunday matinee, and In addition to discounted tickets and priority seating, subscibers enjoy the following benefits: almost all of his working life at the coalface, laboring so that his three sons might have opportu- Monday evening. They offer our company and our supporters the nities for higher education. When Storey informed his father of his more artistic sensibilities, his ? BUY ADDITIONAL TICKETS. Only TACT subscribers wanting to add chance to explore some great rarely seen plays in an intimate creative seats to their current reservation may avoid pricey service charges by Please cut out form and mail to TACT at 900 Broadway, Suite 905, New York NY 10003 response was that if he wished to pursue painting he must pay his own way. Storey was not dis- atmosphere. purchasing single tickets through the TACT office. Simply call couraged; at age 18, he enrolled in the Slade School of Fine Art in , and financed this edu- We are opening the series in September with The Late Christopher 212/645-8228 and we will do our best to make sure your party is seat- TheACTORSCompanyTheatre cation by signing a 14-year contract to play professional league rugby for Leeds. He traveled back Bean, by . For more about Sidney Howard and The Late ed together. and forth by train, devoting his commute to writing novels. He says, though, that this special per- Christopher Bean, see page 5. Early Bird mission he received to attend school while being an athlete “had a very poor effect on the other ? CHANGE YOUR DATES at THEATRE ROW. As TACT subscribers, you players, who were all young coal miners – this artist swanning in for matches. At the Slade mean - September 2006 will be assigned a performance date according to the day of preference Subscription while I was seen as a bit of an oaf. I only really felt at home on the train, where the two different you specify on the subscription form. If you are not able to attend this YOU GET 2 Full Productions at THEATRE ROW parts of my life came together.” The Late Christopher Bean performance, you hold the exclusive right to change performance Plus His first published novel was the seventh one he wrote in his time on the train; This Sporting By Sidney Howard (From a play by Rene Fauchois) dates. To reserve a seat for a different performance, simply return your any 4 of our 6 Salon Readings at the TACT Studio - 6 Plays total! tickets to the TACT office, either by mail or in person, no less than 48 Life (1960). Storey was 26 years old. Novelist Carey Phillips, who grew up in Leeds and also wrote The Art World collides with a simple New England family, when it is discov- hours before your scheduled performance, accompanied by your name 1. Name extensively on sports, praised the novel, saying of it, “it’s about working-class northern sport, the ered that the paintings a former lodger left with them have become enor- and which performance you would like to attend instead. Your new tick- concomitant class tension…and it spoke to me with force.” The novel was made into a film, direct- mously valuable. Mailing Address et will be waiting at the Theatre Row box office. Exchanges may not be ed by , who would go on to direct many of Storey’s later plays (including Home). Sat. 9/ 23 @ 7:30 Sun. 9/24 @ 2:00 Mon. 9/25 @ 7:30 made without your original ticket, less than 48 hours prior to the per- City State Zip Storey’s inspiration to write a play came more as a side-thought than a serious considera- formance, or after a performance has been missed. Subject to avail- tion. His novels were being rejected consistently for publication, and he was growing tired; he October 2006 ability of new date. Day Phone Evening Phone thought to himself that perhaps writing a play would be a good change, as there is only need to write dialogue and not description. His first play, The Restoration of Arnold Middleton, was produced ? CHANGE YOUR SALON DATES. Subscribers must specify on the sub- Kind Lady scription form which salon performances you would like to attend. If Email a half-dozen years later, and Storey says, “the exhilaration of seeing it come alive on stage prompt- By Edward Chodorov you need to change the day of a particular show or switch to a differ- ed me to write another five plays in no time at all, feeling that I’d found a whole new venture.” The No good deed goes unpunished. An unsuspecting well-to-do older woman ent show, you may do that by calling the TACT Office at 212/645-8228 2. CHOOSE YOUR SHOWS 3. CHOOSE YOUR PREFERRED DAY Royal Court was an avid supporter of his works, and Lindsay Anderson eventually directed nine is conned by a charming grifter and his cronies. no less than 24 hours prior to your scheduled performance. New dates Storey plays both there and at the National Theatre. MAIN STAGE: Dec. Home are subject to availability. ?

Sat. 10/ 14 @ 7:30 Sun. 10/15 @ 2:00 Mon. 10/16 @ 7:30 at Theatre Row MAIN STAGE SALON When it was first produced at the Morosco Theatre in 1970 with Sir and Sir Apr./May TBA Please select the LOSE OR FORGET YOUR TICKETS? No Biggie! Just go to the Theatre ? Sun. (mat) in the starring roles, Home was hailed as “quietly brilliant,” “transporting,” and ? day of the week January 2007 Row Box Office on the day of the show and give them your name - SALON: Mon. “extraordinarily pungent.” Storey was respectfully compared to Pinter in that “he, too, has a gift at TACTStudio you would like to they’ll reprint your ticket at no additional cost. OR don’t worry about Sept. Late Chris. Bean Tues. N/A N/A for the dialogue of people speaking colloquially and trying to bridge a communication gap, and attend. Indicate keeping track of your tickets at all! TACT subscribers may indicate on Please select Oct. Kind Lady making it deeply dramatic and revealing.” Comparisons to Beckett’s were also The Chinese Prime Minister your first choice Wed. N/A By End Bagnol the subscription form whether to have their Main Stage tickets mailed the 4 plentiful in critics’ responses to the play. Storey’s writing was described by as Jan. Chinese PM with a “1” and Thur. N/A to them or held at the Theatre Row Box Office for pick-up up to one readings you “compressed, and somehow terse even at its most apparently garrulous. It is full of stops, hesita- A famous actress retires from the stage and, surrounded by her family, Feb. Man & Boy your second faces the ghosts of her past and the uncertainty of her future. hour before curtain. would like to Fri. N/A tion and leaps, as irrational as tape-recorded speech and as formal as a . Its skill is Mar. Rain choice with a “2.” Sat. 1/13@ 7:30 Sun. 1/14 @ 2:00 Mon. 1/15 @ 7:30 attend. Sat.(mat) N/A in capturing spontaneity and freezing it into art.” Of the performances by theatrical legends May Dandy Dick } } Sat. (Eve) Gielgud and Richardson, there was also nothing but praise; the two “act together with total unawareness of acting, reflecting the other, pausing, listening (both are magnificent listeners), and February 2007 Here’s what everyone should 4. HOW MANY SUBSCRIPTIONS? Number Price Total always suggesting words they never say, and expressing feelings they can never quite express.” know… Indicate the number of subscriptions you @ $90 Storey’s work, at its best, is marked by an extraordinarily simple yet profound sense of Man & Boy would like to purchase. humanity. The New York Times understood Storey’s essence perfectly when, in their review ofHome , By Terence Rattigan THEATRE ROW. TACT’s main stage productions will now be held in the For additional Salon Reservations please add $10 each Arbuckle ? noted that “always, there is Mr. Storey’s compassion, straight-faced, unsentimental, and An extraordinarily high-powered father, who faces scandal, , and Beckett Theatre at Theatre Row. Theatre Row is located at 410 West 42 th th yet warm.” complete financial ruin, coldly exploits his estranged son to save himself. Street, between 9 and 10 Avenues. To reach Theatre Row by train , Processing Charge (includes THEATRE ROW Facility Fee) $4.50 Sat. 2/10@ 7:30 Sun.2/11 @ 2:00 Mon. 2/12@ 7:30 take the A/C/E to Times Square, 42nd Street. Exit the subway at 42nd Suggested Tax Deductible Contribution $50.00 The Beckett Theatre Street & 8th Avenue and walk 1 1/2 blocks west to Theatre Row. Note: at Theatre Row 42nd Street the 1, 2, 3, 7, 9, N, R, Q, W, and S stop at 42nd Street and Seventh y Bacon March 2007 TOTAL AMOUNT ENCLOSED December 2 thru December 24, 2006 Avenue, 2 1/2 blocks east of Theatre Row. To reach Theatre Row by bus: Take the M11 bus to 42nd Street or take the M42 bus to 9th 5. PAYMENT METHOD Rain Avenue. Theatre Row is located across the street and one block north Check enclosed, payable to TACT MasterCard Visa American Express By John Colton & Clemence Randolph of Port Authority Bus Terminal’s 9th Avenue exit. Based on a story by W. Somerset Maugham e Bennett HOME Card Number Expiration Date Verification Code By David Storey A young down and out good-time girl is trapped with a fundamentalist evan- ? PURCHASING TICKETS. Single tickets to our full productions at (MC/Visa Only) with gelical missionary on a remote Pacific isle during a monsoon. Theatre Row will cost $20 plus a $1.25 facility fee. Tickets may be pur- Cynthia Darlow, Cynthia Harris, Simon Jones and Larry Keith* Sat. 3/10 @ 7:30 Sun.3/11 @ 2:00 Mon. 3/12 @ 7:30 chased online 24/7 at www.ticketcentral.com, by calling Ticket Central Signature Billing Zip Code Directed by Scott Alan Evans at 212-279-4200 from noon until 8pm daily, or in person from the (required) Bianco May 2007 Theatre Row Box Office at 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th& 10th), 6. TICKETS AND SEATING A quiet conversation in a peaceful park leads to startling revelations. open from noon and 8pm daily. Phone and internet orders carry an Who are we? Where are we? What is home? MAIL my TICKETS to me.* Please contact me regarding disability Dandy Dick additional service charge of $3 per ticket, there are no service charges and/or special seating needs. for tickets purchased in person. HOLD my TICKETS at the Box Office. by Arthur Wing Pinero (be sure to include your phone number or a Chester April 21 thru May 12, 2007 *Tickets will be mailed out in September email address above) The Very Reverend Augustin Jedd must raise much needed funds for the ? TACT SALON SERIES. The Salon Series will continue to take place in new church steeple, but is gambling the best way to do this? the TACT Studio at 900 Broadway, Suite 905. Salon performances are Attending with other subscribers? Let us know with whom you would like to sit and we’ll do To Be Announced... everything possible to accommodate you: Sat. 5/19 @ 7:30 Sun. 5/20 @ 2:00 Mon. 5/21 @ 7:30 by reservation only and are subject to availability. To make a reserva- tion, call the TACT Studio at 212/645-8228. Seats at the TACT Salon ia Darlow *Cast subject to availability *ALL TITLES PENDING PERMISSION Series are $15 (suggested donation). 6 TheACTORS COMPANY THEATRE Summer Newsletter TheACTORS COMPANY THEATRE 3 2006/2007 Our 2005/2006 Season Contributors The following list represents TACT’s honored contributors from January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006. We gratefully recognize their support which is The so vital to our success and take great pride in these generous people who have given at the levels listed below. Thank You! GRANTS Mary Bacon & Andrew Leynse Toni Aronsohn Perlberg Barbara &Charles Rodin Doris Marmorek ABN AMRO Lisa & Joel Benenson Charlotte Rosenblatt Ann & William Roll Ilene & Karl Marquardt Betsy Ely Lana & Jack Rosenfeld Susan Roschen Pamela & Paul Mauger COMPANY NEWS continued from page 1 Arthur B. Greene Charitable Foundation The Axe-Houghton Foundation Emily & Bill Gottlieb Nola Joyce Safro Sheldon Rothenberg Gregg Mayer Bank Julius Baer Constance & John Hartnett Arlene Semaya Stanley Rothenberg Eve & Sidney Mayer Rep) in Montauk for the Music in Montauk Publishers Awards, Simon won for Best Fiction, Edith C. Blum Foundation Jeffrey Justin Esther & Bob Silbey Raven & Marvin Rudnitsky Lucy McMichael & Don Brennan Series. This July she’ll be with the Cape Cod Unabridged: A Slight Trick Of The Mind, and the TACTGala! The Degenstein Charitable Foundation Kay & Roger Lyons Jane Susskind-Narins Mary Russin William Milam Theatre Project in Falmouth, MA. In the fall top prize, Audiobook of the Year, for The The Dorothy Strelsin Foundation Leola & Robert Macdonald Valerie & Armin Tehrany Margaret & Ronald Schafer Beverly Miller & Michael Kassin Dawn will be Production Stage Managing Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy– The Tertiary The Friars Charitable Foundation Susan & John Mathias Marilyn Ungar Anne Kaufman Schneider Peter Moore Joan Blackett Schlank Mary &Philip Van Orman Rose Marie Schluter Thelma Morris Forever Plaid and a new rock musical Phase, beating out Harry Potter and Al Franken. IBM Corporation JPMorganChase Regrant Fund, Louise & David Schraa Lynn Wright & Scott Gordon Charlene & Rich Schwarzkopf Natalie Napierala & James Cappelletti Frankenstein in Rama, Ontario at Casino Rama. He also opened the 15th season of the Bay a project of A.R.T./New York Robert Silver Pat & Frederick Selch Marcia & Howard Ostwind Street Theatre, Sag Harbor,in Quartet by Ronald David Smith LUNT/FONTANNE Spencer Sherman Margaret B. Parkes KYLE FABEL announced his engagement to The Leon Levy Foundation Harwood, co-starring with Kaye Ballard, Sian Linda Weingarten ($100 TO $249) Judith Squire Paul Napper & Tony Rao British actress Katie Heap at the TACT year end Lucille Lortel Foundation Phillips, and TACT emeritus, PAUL HECHT. New York State Council on the Arts Joanne & David Wilson Margaret Albert Harry Stahl Edith Ratshin company meeting! It looks like Kyle will be New York City Dept. of Cultural Affairs Patricia & James Apple Kenneth F. Starrett Melissa & James Rinzler spending part of the summer in London mak- Broadway TACTor JACK KOENIG continues Penninsula Community Foundation BERNHARDT Nancy & Charles Ashcroft Larua Stein & Eugene Wolsk Corrine Rosenthal ing nuptial plans with Katie. He will also be standing by as a Scar on the theatrical visage UBS ($500 TO $749) Page Ashley Frank Steindler Joan Rosner workshopping his own adaptation of a Douglas of The Lion King, now installed in the Minskoff The Ungar Family Foundation Lisa & Robert Abramson Emory Bass Charlene & Richard Stern Phillip Rubin Adams novel, Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Theatre after 8 1/2 years at the historic New Unilever Foundation, Inc. Celeste Alsgaard Michael Belfonti Margaret & John Stewart Joan Sanger Agency, at NYU’s Studio Tisch. Next season . He reports that so far he’s enjoy- Deirdre & Lawrence Bader Joyce & Louis Betz Susan Stone & Tom Gavin Irma & Hal Schechter KEANE Bebe & Doug Broadwater Jackie & Neil Bianco Alex Szogyi Suki Schorer Kyle will be directing Secret Order (which ing his new theatrical home. ($10,000 AND UP) Shirley B. Dinitz Mary Joyce &Robert Bochroch Ellen G. Trokel Leonard Schultz ? starred James Murtaugh in its New York pre- Anyone who was lucky enough to pass through Lore Degenstein Barbara & Bill Evans Joan Boening Uma & John Vlahoplus Mina Seeman miere) at Merrimack . Betsy Fader Beth Boily ? Audrey & Alfred Wilner Alex Sherman City this Spring had the opportunity to Holly Etlin & Ron Sussman Linda Ferber & Joel Berson Phyllis Brugnolotti Xana & Larry Winans Ilene Shifrin On stage and off, TACTors are making a dra- see DARRIE LAWRENCE’S moving portrayal of Anita Jaffe Stephen Lindenmuth Barbara & Clifford Grodd Paula Busch Paul Stocks matic influence in our profession...RICHARD Carrie Watts in The Trip To Bountiful at Kansas Susan Weis Mindel & Mary Jane & David Harris Mary &Phil Cedar GISH Cora Tangney FERRONE was recently elected to the AFTRA City Repertory Theatre (formerly Missouri Rep). Dr. Joel S. Mindel Pamela Jarvis & Anthony Davis Rona & Marc Cherno (UP TO $99) Gabriella Thurston National Board. Richard remains busy record- Now through July 2 you can catch her stirring Nancy Wender & Steven Rand Mildred & Paul John Lisa Chess & Michael Pressman Margaret Abbott Alice Timothy ing audiobooks. His summer picks include up trouble in for Shakespeare on the Allyson Kay Barbara Chester Alan Altschuler Therese & Randy Ventgen OLIVIER Fran Amicone The Completed Autobiography By Benjamin Sound in Rowayton, CT. shakespeareonthe- Michael Cerveris The stars of the TACTLounge! William Leggio Kay Chester Jessie Walker ($5,000 TO $9,999) Monty Arnold Franklin, edited by Mark Skousen, and for those sound.org Anne Meara & Jerry Stiller Zara Cohan Brent Whitman Alice & James Murtaugh Carol & Ralph Colin, Jr. Martha K. Babcock Max Wilk who want a murder mystery for the beach, Laurie & John Adams Other TACTors on Broadway this season Linda & Frederic Greenberg Nancy Nugent Carolyn Curran Andrea Barbieri Robert N. Williams check out Dead Watch by John Sandford. included GREG MCFADDEN in The Caine Mutiny Gail & Alan Levenstein Patti & Donald Pearlstein Catherine Curran Marla Batchelder William B. Young Birdland Benefit Catherine Bernabeo Pensis-Stolz, Inc. Jacques D’Amboise Aurora Zinder RACHEL FOWLER was back at the Denver Court-Martial. Greg was also in an episode of Michael Ross Diana &Joseph Rowan Maia Danziger ? Philip Biondo Center where she played Mariana in Measure the new hit TV drama Conviction. He and wife, Janet C. Weis Brings In Big Bucks! Susan & Frederic Rubinstein Peggy Domow Frances & Robert Boehm For Measure, then went straight off to St Louis Shannon, are expecting their first child this DUSE Jo-Ann & Gregory Salata Suzan Ehrman Betty Bowers to play Rosie in Humble Boy. She is currently July...more future TACTors! A special thanks to everyone who attended or contributed ($2,500 TO $4,999) Sandy & Gary Sojka Louise Espy Faith Brown 2005/06 running in Treason with fellow TACT member Jennie & Richard De Scherer Frances Spangler & Alan Federman Brooke Evans &Michael O’Neill Anthea Buchanan You’ve seen JAMES MURTAUGH on a Law & towards the TACT Annual Benefit. This year’s event was a huge suc- GUEST ARTISTS MARY BACON at the Perry Street Theatre, and Patricia Dugan Warren Spector Liza Gennaro & Scott Alan Evans Angelica Budabin Order SVU episode which aired recently. Look cess, raising over $46,000 in crucial funds that will help launch MarthaBurke is looking forward to a trip to Wales with hus- Barbara Fleischman Wellington Tichenor Lisa & Charles Feitel Stacey Boggs, Designer for him guest starring in a pilot this fall on Fox TACT into its exciting and ambitious fourteenth season! C. Alan Walker ? Margaret Flynn Steven Calawa band Karel this fall. Darya Geetter Bob Braswell, Actor called The Wedding Album. He also co-starred Selma L. Wiener Jane & Charles Goldman Mary Caputi ? Held at New York’s legendary jazz club Birdland, the evening Cynthia Harris Our always busy lighting designer, MARY with Judd Hersh and Scott Cohen in the film Frances & Matthew Harris Cynthia Zeger Marieanne & Tim Goldman Elinor Ceresney Russell Bonifede, Musician was hosted by celebrated comic Freddie Roman and featured Pam Chen & Amy Chester? LOUISE GEIGER lit The Soldier’s Tale at Brother’s Shadow at the Tribeca Film Festival. Larry Keith Carolyn Goodman Rupert Boyd, Musician Sweeney Todd’s recent Tony nominee, Michael Cerveris. Also grac- Christine Millen & William Pinzler BARRYMORE Nada & David Gray Helena Cohn Philadelphia Orchestra in January, Pillowman at And then there was a reading of a new Charles ($250 TO $499) ing the stage of the TACT Lounge were talented guest artists Chris Constance Poster Adele Green Cathy & Doug Cohen Suzanne Chesney, Designer ACT Theatre in Seattle in March, and The Busy Strouse musical...so why does he look so rest- Maureen Conneen Bergson, Allison Blackwell, Laura Griffith and Janelle Anne Ann & Leon Stone Dee & Marshall Arisman Anita &Edward Greenbaum Anthony Crane, Actor World Is Hushed at Playwrights Horizons in May. ed? Jim and wife, Alice, have just returned Mary & Robert Ascheim? Greenwich House, Inc. ? Karen Dahle & Sue Hessel This summer will take her to Belgrade, Serbia from a sun filled trip to the beautiful island of Robinson, and TACT favorites Jimmy Murtaugh, Larry Keith, and CORNELL Nora Chester? David Greisen Christopher Deatherage Curzon Dobell, Actor with Violet Fire, a new about Nicola Tesla Bermuda where they celebrated their 35th Scott Schafer. ($1,500 TO $2,499) Fimi Zolas Cohen & Stanley Cohen Jo & Bruce Grellong Jacqueline M. Didier Kathleen Doyle, Actor (which you can catch at BAM in October), and wedding anniversary! Diane Brandt & Martin Lewis Douglas Craig Faith & Tom Grill Leonard Diller Attendees ate, drank, and partied the night away with old Eleanor H. Driscoll Tara Falk, Actor to the Brisbane Festival in Australia with Mabou Denise Coultas Carolyn D’Amboise Russel MARGARET NICHOLS is off to play Hope in friends, new friends, and familiar TACT faces; and at the end of the Nanette & Daniel Eisenberg Mines Dollhouse . She’ll be back home in NYC Virginia Darrow Leslie Darhansoff Delphi & Norman Harrington ? Seth Fruyterman, Musician at Weston Playhouse in Vermont this night took home gift bags courtesy of Bigelow Apothecaries, Patrick Degraca Laurence R. Herman Regina Elbirt lighting the Elsewhere Festival at 59E59 in Karen Falk & Michael Goldman summer. This spring she was busy as a found- Cardinal Glass, CLAY, Equinox, Zabars, and Zagat Guide. Sandra & George Garfunkel Marilyn Detels Renee Hertz Patty Erlich David Gale, Musician August. Way to chalk up those frequent flier ing member of a new theatre company in the Jean Gennaro Joseph Dixon Lee & Kirk Hollingsworth Lia Faiman Eli Ganias, Actor miles! TACT is so thankful to everyone who helped to make this Joseph W. Eichenbaum Betty & Michael Howard Susanne Ferris city named Dog Run Rep, run by Jeff Cohen, Dede & Bob Gronlund year’s event the best ever! Diana Erbsen Ruth Jody Alma Flesch Brian Henderson, Actor While not a professional performer anymore, the former artistic director of Worth Street. Priscilla & Ronald Hoffman tt Schafer Lydia & Bernie Kukoff Rachel Fowler & Karel Lansky Marion & Irwin Kaplan Beth &Richard Flusser Amir Khosrowpour, Francesca Board member LINDA GREENBERG did sing Winner of “the most exotic summer vacation” Rusty Fox Irena Klepfisz Sally Forbes & Andrew Krawetz LaVonne Poteet Chris Kipiniak, Actor five songs at her 65th birthday party in Key award, Margaret is traveling to an ashram in Nathan Silverstein Alvin Friedman-Kien Lisa Knobel Marcella Frank West, which were very well received, according India in August. Irene & Norman Vale Margaret Gates & Swan Stull Nadine Kolker Susan Fridie Kamako Koyama, Musician to Board President STEPHEN LINDENMUTH, Francis Williams Morton Grosz Seigfried Kra Susan & Evan Friedman Composer of the music for our recent Hot L Ilse W. Goldsmith Terry Layman, Actor who attended the party. Linda’s son Timothy Elaine & Irving Wolbrom Deborah & Christopher Jones Lynne Langlois id Staller Baltimore, , will serve as com- TACTStudio Richard Kandel ? Norma Langworthy Peggy Goldsmith Youn Joo Lee, Musician Scott Alan Evans has become a producer for Jon Stewart’s The poser-in-residence at Norway’s Festival for BOOTH Cecilly G. Keating Judith Leynse Rhoda & Eliot Gordon Daily Show. And, best news of all, Fred and Premiere Event Space Yoni Levyatov , Musician Church, Music and Culture, where his first ($1,000 TO $1, 499) Jack Koenig David Lindsey & Stephan Kantor Irving Grad Linda are the proud (first-time!) grandparents will be premiering this fall. He is 900 Broadway (@ 20th St.) Suite 905 NYC Ann & Joel Berson Veri Lee Krassner Lorna Livingston Alexandra Grannis Andrew Leynse, Director of a beautiful baby girl, Emma. Can a future Stephen S. Gurian currently working on , a children’s George Bunn Sharon Kern &Dan Taub ? Edith & Stuart Marks Jessie Marino, Musician TACTor be in our midst? Bobbie Kroman & Jack Barney George Mayer Elizabeth Hack opera based on the novel by . This PRESENTATIONS, REHEARSALS, READINGS, LECTURES, Carol & Geoffrey Chinn Thompson Nancy & Sam Craig Holly Kulka Peter Mayer Rose & Cyrille Halkin Ron McClary, Actor Kyle Fabel Hopefully you were able to catch DELPHI HAR- fall will also see the release of another project MEETINGS, WORKSHOPS, BACKERS AUDITIONS, Georgia & Michael de Havenon Peggy Kuo Elizabeth & James McClure, Jr. Judie Heap Tuck Milligan, Actor RINGTON singing at the Shooting Star Theatre for children, a piano and art book (in collabora- ACTING CLASSES, EXERCISE CLASSES, YOGA CLASSES Mary &John Hayes Darrie Lawrence John McGuire Kathleen Heenan & Clary Olmstead Victor Pappas, Director in an evening honoring Noel Coward on the tion with Swedish painter Christopher Radlund) WEDDINGS, PARTIES, GATHERINGS Bette & Joseph Kessler Lianne Lazetera Leslie McKinley Nina Hennessey 12th of June. This summer she will once again based on fairytales, myths and legends from Barbara & Richard Lane Ruth Lloyds & William Ehrlich Lynn Mesuk Steven Holmes Marcus Paus, Composer be performing in Bloomsday, the annual cele- Gilgamesh to Brothers Grimm, entitled Amy & Tom Marano Judith & Edwin Deane Leonard Jill Cordle Mont & Ira Mont Mary Beth Coudal & J. Chris Jones hley West Peter Judd Michael Pressman, Director Richard Ferrone bration of James Joyce Ulysses at Symphony Phantasia Musica. Call for rates and availability Marie & James Marlas Jan Liva & Kevin Tubridy Brenda & Randy Morgan Mr. & Mrs. Larry Loeb Susan & Robert Morris Beverly Katzman Elizabeth Meadows Rouse, Actor Space and has been doing Food For Thought Mr. &Mrs. Carl Menges JAMES PRENDERGAST spent May and June Carol Mitchell Ilona Marsh Margaret A. Nyhaus Robert A. Katzman often, performing the works of , Abby Royle, Actor performing a play called The Chief at Mountain 212/645-TACT(8228) Karen & Gerald Morganstern Susan & Jim Mathias Veronica & John Olivieri Delia Keating and the poems of E.E. Annie Keefe Playhouse in Jennerstown, PA. It’s a one man Wendy & Nick Rubinstein James McLaren Kristine &John Pankow Jamie Rose Thoma, PSM Cummings. This spring brought twins, a boy Susan Talbot Ruth & Cliff Melberger George Persaud ? Patty Kettle n Wright show about Art Rooney, Steelers founder and Joseph Trapanese, Composer and a girl, to proud grandparents Delphi and Michael Thomas Stephen Menchini Hardy Phippen, Jr. Elieen Klein & Elliott Schuman Rachael Fowler Pittsburgh icon. husband Norman. Congratulations! Shelby White Nancy Meng John Plumpis Joan &Alan Kramer Adina Verson, Actor Helga Krawany The Lion King also continues to employ our Eric Mulkowsky Nancy & Martin Polevoy Dan Urness, Musician SIMON JONES has won yet another prestigious HAYES Betty & Greg Murphy David Rice Dorothy & Robert Lewis JOHN PLUMPIS as that wisecracking meerkat, award! Nominated for 9(!) 2006 Audio TheACTORS COMPANY THEATRE ($750 TO $999) Betty & Henry Necarsulmer Sylvia & Harold Richman Wendy & James Leynse Mary Wing, Musician Timon, on the National Tour which will spend Christy & Michael Apfelbaum Glen Pedersen Estelle & Louis Robbins Eleanor Lupino Delphi Harrington COMPANY NEWS continues on page 8 900 Broadway, Suite 905 ?First time contributor ?New to 05/06 List ? Increased Contribution We make every effort to maintain the accuracy of our contributor lists. We apologize for any misspelled or omitted names. Please contact the office regarding any error so New York, NY 10003 that corrections and updates can be made. Heartfelt thanks, too, to all our season subscribers! 4 TheACTORS COMPANY THEATRE Summer Newsletter2006/2007 TheACTORS COMPANY THEATRE 5 TACT Salon Series 900 Broadway, NYC 2005/2006 Pictured left from The : Elizabeth Meadows Rouse, Scott Schafer Come Back, and Eli Ganias Below: Cynthia The Late Christopher Bean Darlow. Middle: Ashley West. Little Sheba Bottom of the Page: Bob Braswell, Kelly Hutchinson, by Sidney Howard by James Prendergast, Cynthia Doc ...... Gregory Salata*? Darlow, Adina Verson, Delphi Opens Salon Series in September ? Harrington, Elizabeth Rouse

January 2006 Marie ...... Kelly Hutchinson* Lola ...... Nora Chester*? As a writer, Sidney worked in several fields during his career (journalist, translator, Turk ...... Brian Henderson* screenwriter, fiction writer), however, it was his work as a playwright he found to be the most Postman ...... Richard Ferrone*? fulfilling. He saw 27 of his plays staged (13 original works – 14 adaptations and/or trans- Mrs. Coffman ...... Kathleen Doyle* lations) and was awarded the Tony Award and the Pulitzer Prize in Drama. Howard consid- ...... Ron McClary* ered a play to be primarily a vehicle for the actor, and the playwright’s job to provide actors Western Union Man ...... Scott Schafer*? Bruce ...... Chris Kipiniak* with raw material from which they might create vivid and memorable characters. This is why Ed Anderson ...... Scott Schafer*? we feel he is the perfect author to open the TACT Salon Series in September. Elmo Huston ...... Richard Ferrone*? Howard was born June 26, 1891, in Oakland, California, to a musician and the owner of a steamship line. He began writing at the age of nineteen when, forced into isolation at Directed by Michael Pressman a tuberculosis sanatorium, introspection led to self-expression through journal and letter Music by Colin McGrath? Stage Managed by Dawn Dunlop*? writing. He earned a BA from the University of California at Berkeley, where he wrote for the literary periodical. It was also during his years there that he saw his very first play, The Son Both of Spain, produced by an artist’s colony in nearby Carmel. He went on to Harvard to pursue his interest in drama and playwriting. At the onset of World War I, Howard enlisted in the Dear LIAR YOUR American Ambulance Corps, and ultimately become a Captain in the US Army. by Jerome Kilty Howard began his professional writing career in 1919 as a journalist for Life magazine, Bernard Shaw ...... Simon Jones*? and eventually became its literary editor in 1922. He also wrote articles for Collier’s, New Mrs. Patrick Campbell . . . .Cynthia Harris*? Houses Republic, and Hearst’s International. Though his later life would find him focusing much less on journalism than on dramatic writing, he would sporadically write articles about Hollywood Directed by Scott Alan Evans? Pictured above Bill Lewis ...... Scott Schafer*? January 2006 By and the motion picture industry for the New York Times. Music by Jonathan Faiman? left from Both Your Houses: Girl ...... Adina Verson Stage Managed by Dawn Dunlop*? Marjorie Gray ...... Tara Falk* Howard was originally attracted to Hollywood in 1927, after sound came to the (standing) Tuck Millie ...... Delphi Harrington*? movies. As a screenwriter, Howard wrote more than a dozen scripts for Hollywood. He is Bus ...... Jenn Thompson*? Milligan, Tara Falk, Jenn Mrs. Bellotti ...... Cynthia Darlow*? best known for his adaptation of Margaret Mitchell’s Gone With the Wind, which won him his A Eddie Wister ...... Curzon Dobell* Thompson (seat- April Green ...... Elizabeth Meadows Rouse* only Academy Award (for which he was honored posthumously in 1940). Though many revi- Solomon Fitzmaurice ...... James Murtaugh*? ed) Kyle Fabel, Mr. Morse ...... James Prendergast*? sions were famously made to Howard’s script by other writers, the final version was close James Murtaugh, Simeon Gray ...... Terry Layman* enough to Howard’s original that he was billed as the sole author. andsome Terry Layman, Jackie ...... Kelly Hutchinson*? Levering ...... Tuck Milligan* James Jamie ...... Bob Braswell* Despite the praise he received for all his work, Howard felt that his greatest passion Prendergast, Merton ...... Scott Schafer*? Mr. Katz ...... Eli Ganias* was in playwriting. Of the difference in the inspiration a writer of plays feels from that of a H MAN Curzon Dobell, writer of fiction, he said, “the novelist prefers writing to anything; the dramatist prefers act- by Alexander Ostrovsky Sneden ...... James Prendergast*? Richard Ferrone Suzy ...... Ashley West*? and Darrie ing to anything. The drama does not spring from a literary impulse but from a love of the February 2006 adapted by Scott Alan Evans & Greg McFadden Miss McMurtry ...... Darrie Lawrence*? Lawrence Left: Suzy’s John ...... Richard Ferrone*? brave, ephemeral, beautiful art of acting.” translated by Erika Warmbrunn Wingblatt ...... Kyle Fabel*? Anthony Crane. Paul Granger III ...... Jamie Bennett*? Howard’s first professional play, Swords, a melodrama set in medieval Italy, was pro- Pierre ...... Scott Schafer*? Farnum ...... Richard Ferrone*? Mrs. Oxenham ...... Nora Chester*? duced in 1921; he wrote it as a vehicle for Clare Jenness Eames, the actress who would George ...... Kyle Fabel*? Alan McClean ...... Anthony Crane* Lupachev ...... Gregory Salata*? Cab Driver ...... Richard Ferrone*? become his wife in 1922. In 1925, he won the Pulitzer Prize for his play They Knew What They Apollinaria ...... Nora Chester*? Ebner ...... Scott Schafer*? Pizza Delivery ...... Richard Ferrone*? Wanted; initially, however, the play itself wasn’t immediately successful. It was turned down Zoya ...... Margaret Nichols*? Directed by Michael Pressman sixteen times by different producers before it was finally picked up by the and ? Directed by Victor Pappas Oleshunin ...... Sean Arbuckel* Music Composed by Marcus Paus produced in 1924. It was this play and the accolades it received that really established Lotokhin ...... Larry Keith*? Music Composed by John Slover Howard as one of the preeminent playwrights of the early 20th century. Sosipatra ...... Delphi Harrington*? Lighting by Stacey Boggs Lighting by Mary Louise Geiger His proficiency in Spanish and French led to his translations of a series of European Okoemov ...... Anthony Crane* PSM Dawn Dunlop*? plays for the American stage; The Late Christopher Bean is one of these. Adapted from René Susanna ...... Abby Royal* Costumes by Suzanne Chesney Assistant Director Shelly Tseng Critical Response: Fauchois’s play Prenez garde à la peinture, Christopher Bean maintains the same general struc- Directed by Scott Alan Evans? PSM Jamie Rose Thoma* ture as the French play, but is thoroughly American – transporting the play from the French hia Harris Greg McFadden Music by Joseph Trappanese Assistant Director Shelly Tseng countryside to the heart of Yankee New England. It was first produced in 1932, with Pauline Stage Managed by Dawn Dunlop*? The best play reading troupe in Lord playing the leading character of Abby, the family maid, and was an instant commercial America.” The success. Lord, also the star of They Knew What They Wanted, was a central inspiration to Richmond Shepard, Lively Arts L Howard in the writing of the play, which he dedicated to her. The production was widely The HOT James Murtaugh Hutchinson praised, and subsequent productions sprang up in theatres all over the country and across the pond in London. Cherry Sisters TACT's staging is so brilliantly effec- Baltimore The Late Christopher Bean has been described as a “deceptive comedy…as changeable Revisited tive that it seems like a full-fledged as a chameleon,” with “interpretations as various as the style of the actresses playing Abby, by Dan O’Brien work, not a reading. by who sets the tone of the comedy.” Pauline Lord’s interpretation was seen as having a “vague March 2006 Margaret on Jones ? Addie ...... Margaret Nichols* William Wolf, New York Calling wistfulness” that “stressed the poignancy underlying the play,” drawing it away from farce. Lizzie ...... Ashley West*? Charlotte Greenwood, who played Abby in San Francisco, was described as being “less Jessie ...... Nora Chester*? mousey, more capable of defending herself,” and with her interpretation the play lost its seri- Effie ...... Kelly Hutchinson*? As usual, TACT delivers a vital and ous and sentimental note and became a somewhat broader comedy. Other actors to take Ella ...... Eve Bianco*? on the role include: Shirley Booth, , Helen Menken, and Jean Stapleton. John Plumpis ry Keith Pops ...... Gregory Salata *? engrossing production." Harry Forbes, backstage.com Eventually, a film version was made as a vehicle for comedic star Marie Dressler; this Directed by Andrew Leynse version was not adapted by Howard, and was not well-received. Her performance – and the Music by Amir Khosrowpour film itself – were described as “heavy handed,” so much so that it became merely “noisy Stage Managed by Dawn Dunlop*? With no set, just actors with scripts in burlesque [and] caricature.” k Koenig hand and facing the audience rather than Howard’s life came to an abrupt end in 1939 when he was killed in a tractor accident James Prendergast ? TACT Company Member each other, we get to concentrate on what on his farm in Tyringham, Massachusetts. His death came just before his newest comedy, * Member Actors Equity Association is best about this play: its incisive and Madame, Will You Walk?, was to go into production; it eventually played forty-two shows on Pictured above right: Sean Arbuckel, Margaret Broadway. His legacy of straightforwardness of style is remembered as being “less of a Nichols, Nora Chester, Gregory Salata, Kyle Fabel often ironically funny dialogue. comment on contemporary life than a presentation of it.” e Lawrence and Scott Schafer in A Handsome Man. Right: Elyse Sommer, CurtainUp.com Gregory Salata Simon Jones and Cynthia Harris in Dear Liar.