Photo Coverage: LET ME DOWN EASY - Opening Arrivals
By: Walter McBride Oct. 09, 2009
Second Stage Theatre (Carole Rothman, Artistic Director) launched its 31st season with the New York premiere of Anna Deavere Smith's LET ME DOWN EASY. Conceived, written, and performed by Ms. Smith and directed by Leonard Foglia, LET ME DOWN EASY began preview performances on Tuesday, September 15 and officially opened on Wednesday, October 7th.
LET ME DOWN EASY features scenic design by Riccardo Hernandez, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward, and lighting design by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer. Working closely with director Leonard Foglia, Ms. Smith has re-conceived LET ME DOWN EASY from the earlier developmental versions presented at New Haven's Long Wharf Theatre (winter 2008) and Boston's American Repertory Theatre (summer 2008).
Anna Deavere Smith's work in the theater explores American character and our multifaceted national identity. She has won numerous awards, among them two Obies, two Tony nominations and a MacArthur fellowship. She was runner up for the Pulitzer Prize for her play Fires In the Mirror. She is said to have created a new form of theater. Her work combines the journalistic technique of interviewing her subjects with the art of interpreting their words through performance. The New York Times called her "the ultimate impressionist, she does people's souls."
LET ME DOWN EASY will be performed through Sunday, November 8, 2009 at Second Stage Theatre (307 West 43rd Street, just west of 8th Avenue) on the following schedule: Tuesday at 7:00pm, Wednesday - Saturday at 8:00pm, Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00pm, and Sunday at 3:00pm.
All weekday evening performances the week of October 20 will begin at 7:00pm. Weekend curtain times remain the same. There will be an added 7:00pm performance on Sunday, October 11.
Tickets are $70 and may be purchased by phoning 212-246-4422 or 800-766-6048 or online atwww.2ST.com. Patrons age 30 and under may purchase a limited number of specially-priced $30 tickets in advance. A limited number of student rush tickets are $15 and are available 30 minutes prior to curtain.
Group tickets are available by phoning 212-889-4300 or (800) 331-0472. Box-office hours are Monday, 10:00am - 6:00pm, Tuesday 10:00am - 7:00pm, Wednesday through Saturday, 10:00am to 8:00pm, and Sunday, 10:00am to 3:00pm. For more information, visitwww.2ST.com.
Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.
Tom Kitt and his wife Rita Kitt
Chuck Close and Suzanne Scott
Chuck Close and Suzanne Scott
Kirby Bumpus and Gayle King
Kirby Bumpus and Gayle King
Christine Quinn
Christine Quinn
David Wilson Barnes
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