Tennessee Williams: Original Acts

Tennessee Williams: Original Acts

July 14 - August 6, 2011
The plays, THE DARK ROOM, INTERIOR: PANIC, THE PRETTY TRAP, and I NEVER GET DRESSED TILL AFTER DARK ON SUNDAY, span Williams’ career from his earliest writings to his latest. They introduce the first incarnations of several of his most captivating characters. Here are 1940’s launchings of the ladies of THE ROSE TATTOO, THE GLASS MENAGERIE and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, in surprising stories. Here, also, are final fearless portraits of co-workers, inspired by Williams’ life in, difficulty with, and love of theatre. Tennessee Williams, best known for his compassionate depiction of wounded women, was truly a master of theatrical risk taking. He broke stifling stage molds throughout his life. Recently recognized plays of his continue to shock as much as awe even the most hard-hearted modern cynic. This year Williams remains as contemporary as ever, as he probably will be for the next hundred years. Featured in this spirited series of comic/lyric/sensual dramas are long time island visitors and actors, Scott Barrow and Peter Stray, New York’s Sheila Stasak, and newcomer to the Playhouse, award winner, Dee Nelson. Each actor inhabits a variety of Williams’ memorable men and women. Director Joann Green Breuer has been guiding shows at The Vineyard Playhouse for the past fifteen years, her latest was last season’s lobby staging of FAITH HEALER. Mac Young, with Ms. Breuer, designed the set, Fred Hancock, the lights; Amy Elizabeth Sabin, the costumes; Jim Novack, the sound; Timothy Toothman, stage manager. Especially to be noted is the music - arranged, played and recorded by local musical phenom, Adam Lipsky. The show is produced by Playhouse artistic director, MJ Bruder Munafo.

CREATIVE TEAM

Director: Devised & Directed by Joann Green Breuer
Writer: Written by Tennessee Williams
Stage Manager: Stage Manager: Timothy Toothman
Lighting Design: Lighting by Fred J. Hancock
Scenic Design: Set by Mac Young and Joann Green Breuer
Sound Design: Sound Design by Jim Novack
Costume Design by Amy Elizabeth Sabin
Music by Adam Lipsky

Tennessee Williams: Original Acts

Scott Barrow
Scott Barrow is thrilled to be back at the Playhouse for his 15th production! Credits here include RETREAT FROM MOSCOW, PROOF, OUR TOWN, MUCH ADO, 12TH NIGHT, and SHAKESPEARE ABRIDGED. Elsewhere Scott has appeared on Broadway in 33 VARIATIONS, Off-Broadway in VALHALLA (NYTW), DR. KNOCK (Mint Theatre), EMBRACEABLE ME (Kirk) and the National Tour of THE LARAMIE PROJECT and THE LARAMIE PROJECT TEN YEARS LATER with Tectonic Theatre Project. Regional credits include A NUMBER (Wilma), DOUBT (Arkansas Rep.), Elyot in PRIVATE LIVES (NJ Shakespeare), Arena Stage, the Arden Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Hartford Stage, The Geva , the Olney, Portland Stage, the Studio Theatre, Commonwealth Shakespeare, New Rep, North Shore Music Theatre, Trinity Rep, and Shakespeare and Company. Film/TV: Expired, The Funhouse, As the World Turns, All My Children. MFA Brandeis University Click here to watch the PLUM TV interview with Scott Barrow
Dee Nelson
Dee Nelson is very excited to be working at the Playhouse for the first time. She recently appeared in the Huntington Theatre Company's world premiere of Stephen Karam's SONS OF THE PROPHET, directed by Peter DuBois, and will repeat her roles in the NYC premiere at the Roundabout/Laura Pels this fall. Dee has been a company member at the venerable Peterborough Players and has worked at most of Boston's professional theatres (receiving two NH Theatre Awards and an Elliot Norton Award). She has played roles in films including State and Main and Moonlight Mile, and on TV shows including Friday Night Lights, Grey's Anatomy, Judging Amy, and The Sopranos.
Shelia Stasack
Sheila Stasack is pleased to be returning to The Vineyard Playhouse where she was last seen in THE CHILDREN'S HOUR. She has performed all up and down the Eastern Seaboard and as far away as Russia. Some favorite roles include Gower in PERICLES (Monmouth), Lissa in AMERICAN DAUGHTER (SpeakEasy), Gertrude in HAMLET (Chekhov Theater), Elizabeth in RICHARD III (Publick Theater), and Nat in RABBIT HOLE (Premiere Stages). Sheila has also been seen in Law & Order, The Brotherhood, The Unusuals, As the World Turns, Guiding Light, Unsolved Mysteries, and Against the Law. She is a proud member of Actors' Equity.
Peter Stray
Peter Stray The Vineyard Playhouse: Michael Wells in TWO ROOMS, Benedick in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Various Monday Night Special play readings with Tony Shalhoub, Amy Brenneman directors including Robert Brustein and Doug Liman. Other Theatre includes Valentine in ARCADIA (Folger Theatre), Hugh in TRICKS OF YOUTH (Shakespeare’s Globe, London), Mardian in ANTONY & CLEOPATRA and Cinna The Poet in JULIUS CAESAR (Shakespeare Theatre) Snowball in ANIMAL FARM (Synetic Theatre), Antipholus of Ephesus and Syracuse in COMEDY OF ERRORS (Rosemary Branch Theatre, Time Out Critic’s Choice), Elf King in THE HOBBIT(UK Regional Tour) Film and TV include: Lost (ABC), Deadly Honeymoon (Lifetime) 1944 (BBC Films/ Sussex Screen). Training: The Central School Of Speech & Drama, London.