THE TURN OF THE SCREW, Jeffrey Hatcher's eerie, two-handed play based on Henry James's 1898 ghost story, begins a sold-out engagement on Thursday February 11 at the historic Merchant's House Museum (29 East 4th Street, between Lafayette and Bowery) and plays through Saturday, February 13 for six performances only.
A limited number of tickets are still available for members of the media and can be reserved by contacting producer, Jane Abramson, at 917-747-1418.
THE TURN OF THE SCREW follows a young governess to an English country estate to care for two young orphans supported by their wealthy yet distant uncle. She quickly discovers that the sudden deaths of the children's previous caretakers haunt the home and seduce all who remain. The governess makes it her mission to purge these lingering ghosts from the premises by any means necessary.
The production comes to life in the unique, haunted setting of the Merchant's House Museum, a 178-year-old Federal house hailed by the New York Times as, "Manhattan's best-preserved" 19th-century home. The production runs Thursday, February 11 through Saturday, February 13 at 7pm & 9pm.
THE TURN OF THE SCREW stars Christina LaFortune and Vince Gatton*. LaFortune ("ephemeral... floating above the stage" -FloridaToday.com) portrays the governess to two young orphans living in a haunted estate, while Gatton (Drama Desk nominee, Candy and Dorothy) inhabits all other characters, including the wealthy uncle, the housekeeper and the children. [*Member of Actors' Equity Association participating as part of an AEA-approved Showcase.]
The production's creative team is led by director Ken Cerniglia with dramaturgy by Benjamin Shaw and historical lighting by Vincent Plescia.
TWO TURNS THEATRE COMPANY produces intimate theatre in unusual places. Inspired by The Turn of the Screw, Two Turns engages classic writers and new takes on classic work. The company is committed to creating new audiences, supporting lifelong learning, and keeping overhead low in order to funnel revenue to partner cultural institutions. Two Turns Theatre Company is fiscally sponsored by Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. www.twoturns.com
MERCHANT'S HOUSE MUSEUM is New York City's only family home preserved intact -- inside and out -- from the 19th century. Built in 1832, it was the residence of a prosperous merchant-class family and four live-in Irish servants for almost 100 years. Filled with the family's furniture, decorative accessories, utilitarian household items, clothing, and personal family memorabilia, it offers a rare and intimate glimpse of domestic life during the three decades before the end of the Civil War. The Merchant's House has been open to the public as a museum since 1936. www.merchantshouse.org
Merchant's House Museum: 29 East 4th Street between Lafayette and Bowery, New York City (Subway: N,R,W to 8th Street; F,V to Lower East Side - Second Avenue; 6 to Bleecker Street)
Six performances only: February 11, 12 & 13 at 7pm and 9pm. The performance runs 70 minutes without intermission - no late seating.
