WHITE HORSE THEATER COMPANY known for acclaimed productions of plays by Sam Shepard and Tennessee Williams commemorates Tennessee Williams' 100th Birthday by presenting his play, SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER. The play is directed by White Horse Producing Artistic Director Cyndy A. Marion recognized for her recent revivals of Williams' Clothes for a Summer Hotel, Small Craft Warnings and In the Bar of a Tokyo Hotel. SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER will play a three-week limited engagement at Hudson Guild Theatre (441 West 26th Street, btw. 9th &
10th Ave.). Performances begin Friday, September 16 and continue through Sunday, October 2. Opening Night is Monday, September 19 (8 p.m.).
Press Nights: Sat, Sept 17th at 8pm; Sun, Sept 18th at 3pm; Mon, Sept 19th 8pm
Considered one of Williams' most challenging plays-this grotesque "moral fable", set in the Garden District of New Orleans, seeks to unearth the truth behind what happened last summer to Mrs. Venable's son Sebastian. Catharine, Sebastian's cousin, has painted a scandalous account. In an attempt to silence Catharine forever, Mrs. Venable tries to convince a doctor that Catharine is disturbed and in need of a lobotomy. The doctor must decide if Catharine is telling the truth.
Williams wrote Suddenly Last Summer soon after entering psychoanalysis in 1957. Under the care of Dr. Lawrence Kubie, Williams examined unresolved childhood issues, his homosexuality and the recent death of his father. Williams often referred to Suddenly Last Summer as an allegory about "how people devour each other" and he hoped that audiences would recognize its anti-realism. Williams championed what he called "a new plastic theatre which must take the place of the exhausted theater of realistic conventions". With its bold imagery, symbolism, and rich aural landscape, Suddenly Last Summer is the epitome of the theater Williams envisioned.
The production stars Elizabeth Bove (Witness for the Prosecution; Florida Rep Carbonell Award Best Actress nomination) as Mrs. Venable, Douglas Taurel (Hard Rain; Cherry Lane) as Doctor Cukrowicz, Lacy J. Dunn as Catharine Holly, Lué McWilliams (Elephant Girls; Theatre 5) as Mrs. Holly, Haas Regen as George Holly, Carol Ann Foley (Bingo with the Indians; Flea Theatre) as Sister Felicity and Heather Lee Rogers as Miss Foxhill.
The production features scenic design by Obie-winner John C. Scheffler, costume design by David B. Thompson and lighting design by Debra Leigh Siegel. Joe Gianono is the composer, Colin Whitely is the sound designer, Michelle Karst is the assistant director and Elliot Lanes is the stage manager.
SUDDENLY LAST SUMMER plays the following regular schedule through Sunday, October 2:
Tuesdays at 8 p.m.
Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
Thursdays at 8 p.m.
Fridays at 8 p.m.
Saturdays at 8 p.m.
Sundays at 3 p.m.
Additional performances: September 19th at 8 p.m. and October 1st at 2 p.m.
No performance on Tuesday, September 20th.
There will be an interpreted performance for the deaf on Tuesday, September 27th.
Tickets are $18 and are now available online at www.smarttix.com or by calling (212) 868-4444. Tickets may also be purchased in-person at the theater ½ hour prior to performance.
Running Time: Approx. 90 minutes
Website: www.whitehorsetheater.com
