Orson's Shadow Continues Run at Barrow Street Theatre with McNall

By: May. 25, 2005
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Sean McNall has taken over the role of Kenneth Tynan in Orson's Shadow, currently running at the Barrow Street Theatre. A backstage look at the declining years of the legendary actor, Austin Pendleton's play is directed by David Cromer and is currently enjoying an open-ended run after having opened on March 13th.

As described in a press article, "Orson's Shadow is set in 1960, as notorious film director Orson Welles senses his foothold in the screen industry slipping. Coaxed into a new endeavor by theater critic and friend Kenneth Tynan, the directorial giant finds himself at the helm of a West End production of Ionesco's Rhinoceros starring Laurence Olivier and his paramour Joan Plowright. Olivier's eccentric wife Vivien Leigh adds to the volatile mix as legendary egos collide on stage and off. A fictional rendering of actual events, Orson's Shadow imagines the circumstances behind the staging of this absurdist masterpiece and reveals the human frailty of these titan personalities." Time Out New York wrote of the play, "An engrossing view of the twilight of theater gods. A first-rate cast."

Presented by Planetearth Partners, Inc. and Scott Morfee, this production marks the New York premiere of Orson's Shadow, which debuted at the Steppenwolf Theatre.

The production, which received a 2005 Drama League Distinguished Performance Award, features Susan Bennett (Beautiful Thing), John Judd (Orson's Shadow – Steppenwolf), McNall (The Imaginary Invalid at The Pearl Theatre Company), 2005 Drama Desk nominee Lee Roy Rogers (The Price – Writers' Theatre), Jeff Still (A Clockwork Orange-Steppenwolf) and Ian Westerfer (Shadowlands). McNall has also appeared in Widowers,' The Tempest and The Merchant of Venice at The Pearl Theatre Company, Julius Caesar at The Public, and Hamlet at King's County Shakespeare.

Set design is by Takeshi Kata, costume design is by Theresa Squire, lighting design is by Tyler Micoleau, and sound is by Jonah Lawrence.

Pendleton's previous plays include Booth and Uncle Bob. Booth was presented at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Long Wharf, York Theatre and the Writers' Theatre in Chicago. As an actor, Pendleton appeared on Broadway in The Diary of Anne Frank. Off-Broadway, he appeared in The Last Sweet Days of Isaac (Obie Award), Hamlet, Richard III, Uncle Vanya and others. He has acted extensively in film and television as well. Pendleton will direct the upcoming Off-Broadway revival of Loose Ends.

Cromer's directorial credits include The Grapes of Wrath at Ford's Theatre, Orson's Shadow, The Cider House Rules, Famous Door, The Dazzle and Golden Boy at Steppenwolf in Chicago, Angels in America, The Journeymen, The Price and Booth at the Writers' Theatre.

Orson's Shadow plays at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow at Seventh Avenue South) as follows: Tuesday through Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 3:00 & 8:00 PM and Sunday at 3:00 & 7:30 PM. The popular "AfterWords" talk-back series follows Wednesday evening performances each week.

Tickets, which are $55, can be ordered through www.telecharge.com or (212) 239-6200. For more information, go to www.OrsonThePlay.com. 



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