Theatre Askew will present the World Premiere of CORNBURY: THE QUEEN'S GOVERNOR, a play by Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-nominated writer William M. Hoffman and Anthony Holland. This satirical look at a lost chapter in New York history stars Obie Award winning actors David Greenspan and Everett Quinton. Previews begin January 24, 2009 at the Hudson Guild Theatre.
Edward Hyde, Lord Cornbury, was the English governor of New York and New Jersey, from 1702-1708. A controversial figure, he is now remembered primarily for his rumored habit of dressing as his first cousin, Queen Anne. In other words, an early English governor of New York was quite possibly a drag queen-and not a very pretty one, if the portrait reportedly of him in women's clothing that hangs in the New York Historical Society is an accurate portrayal. Through its fictional accounting of events around Lord Cornbury's governorship, CORNBURY: THE QUEEN'S GOVERNOR celebrates the ongoing cultural diversity and vitality of the Big Apple. A satirical romp in the tradition of The Ridiculous Theatre, the play also raises important questions about American culture: Are we inclusive or intolerant? How do we integrate individual differences of ethnicity, religion, and sexuality into what it means to be an "American"?
CORNBURY: THE QUEEN'S GOVERNOR is directed by Theatre Askew co-artistic director Tim Cusack, with set designs by OBIE winner Mark Beard and costumes by Emmy nominee David Zyla. In addition to David Greenspan (Boys In The Band, Some Men, Beebo Brinker Chronicles, Hairspray) and Everett Quinton (The Mystery of Irma Vep, Women Beware Women and countless other plays with The Ridiculous Theatrical Company), the production stars Ken Kliban (Drama Desk nomination for As Is), Bianca Leigh (Transamerica, I Claudius Live) and Jenne Vath (Tooth of Crime/La MaMa, Anna Christie/Metropolitan Playhouse).
William M. Hoffman is best known for his groundbreaking play about the AIDS epidemic, As Is, for which he was nominated for the Tony and Pulitzer Prize and received the OBIE and Drama Desk awards. New York Magazine recently named it one of the most significant New York cultural works of the past 40 years. He also wrote the libretto for the Metropolitan Opera's The Ghosts of Versailles with music by John Corigliano.
Theatre Askew's inaugural production, Bald Diva! earned unanimous critical acclaim over its several runs, including a GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding Off-Off Broadway Play and a "Best of 2004" nod from Theater Mania. Their follow-up show was the hit serial I, Claudius Live. Last year they received their second GLAAD Media Award nomination for the world-premiere production of Jason Schafer's i google myself. For their work on that show, Theatre Askew was named 2007 People of the Year by nytheatre.com. For more information visit www.TheatreAskew.com.
CORNBURY: THE QUEEN'S GOVERNOR runs January 24 - February 8. Performances are Monday -Saturday at 8 PM, Saturday matinee at 2 PM, and Sunday at 5 PM. Hudson Guild Theatre is located at 441 West 26th Street (between 9th/10th, accessible from the E train at 23rd Street). Tickets are $18 / $15 for students & seniors, available at 212-352-3101
