Long Wharf Theatre Presents ENDGAME by Samuel Beckett

Long Wharf Theatre, under the director of Artistic Director Gordon Edelstein and Managing Director Joshua Borenstein, presents Endgame, by Samuel Beckett, directed by Edelstein.

The play runs from January 5 through February 5, 2017 on Stage II. Tickets start at $29.

Brian Dennehy (Love Letters, Krapp's Last Tape, and Hughie) and Reg E. Cathey (Obie Award- winner), two of the greatest stage actors of this generation, star in a once in a lifetime theatrical event, performing one of the most influential plays of the 20th century. Endgame, Samuel Beckett's uncompromising masterpiece, explores the biggest question we all face - can love, family, or belief truly give meaning to our lives? Beckett's rich use of language, mordant sense of humor, and courageous worldview combine to weave a spell both humorous and chilling. "That such a dark and unsparing play can leave its audiences so richly rewarded is one of the great mysteries of art," said The Telegraph.

The cast includes Cathey (Clov), Dennehy (Hamm), Joe Grifasi (Nagg), and Lynn Cohen (Nell.) The creative team includes Eugene Lee (sets), Kaye Voyce (costumes), Jennifer Tipton (lighting), and Kathy Snyder (stage manager.)

Dennehy is one of the leading interpreters of the works of Beckett and O'Neill in the country right now. He has been most recently seen at Long Wharf Theatre in Love Letters (with Mia Farrow), Krapp's Last Tape, and Hughie. Cathey, winner of both an Emmy and an Obie award, has been seen in "The Wire," "Oz," and "House of Cards." Grifasi has appeared in over 50 films and has appeared on Broadway six times, including in The Mystery of Edwin Drood. In addition to countless stage performances in New York and beyond, Cohen has appeared in close to a 100 films and television shows, including Manhattan Murder Mystery, Munich, and "Sex and the City."

Dennehy is excited to tackle the role of Hamm in Endgame, seeing it as completing the canon of Beckett's work. "I'm only interested in doing stuff that's hard to do, that's challenging and as a result pays off or blows up in your face," Dennehy told Playbill in March 2016. "For people like me, it's O'Neill or Miller or Beckett and maybe a handful of other playwrights who have written for people with some years on them. And I intend to do as many of them as I can before I hang it up."

Endgame received its world premiere in England (although the production was in French) in 1957. It debuted in New York at Cherry Lane Theatre in 1958. Endgame, as is true of much of much of Beckett's work, was first regarded with mixed emotions by critics - some adored Beckett's perspective, finding it poetic, while many others were baffled. Over time, Beckett's work took its place in forefront of 20 th century literature.

Beckett, a Nobel Prize winner in 1969, was born in Dublin in 1906. Educated at Trinity College, he entertained notions of an academic career before moving to Paris permanently in 1937. In 1938, Beckett barely survived a knife attack. When he finally questioned his attacker as to why, the man said he didn't know, a crucial moment in shaping Beckett's worldview about the randomness of life.

He and his wife Suzanne Deschevaux-Dumesnil joined the French Resistance during World War II, with Beckett serving as a messenger and working in a hospital. He was awarded the Medaille de Resistance and the Croix de Guerre.

Beckett began writing novels, and wrote his first play, Waiting for Godot, in 1953. Endgame followed Godot, with Krapp's Last Tape, recently performed by Dennehy at Long Wharf Theatre.

In 1961, Beckett wrote Happy Days. He continued throughout his life to fiercely cling to his privacy, writing short prose and plays almost until his final days. He died in 1989, celebrated the world over as a writer who changed the course of contemporary drama.

For more information about the show, call 203-787- 4282 or visit longwharf.org.