Pittsburgh Public Theater Presents THE LITTLE FOXES, 11/12-12/13

Pittsburgh Public Theater continues its 35th season with Lillian Hellman's exquisitely crafted tale of greed and family, The Little Foxes. Directed by Ted Pappas, The Little Foxes runs Nov. 12 - Dec. 13, 2009 at the O'Reilly Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater's home in the heart of Downtown's Cultural District.

Set in a Southern town in 1900, The Little Foxes opens with a party held for William Marshall (Philip Winters), a business man from Chicago who wants to bring his factory to the area. After the dinner, the extended Hubbard family plots their strategy to get richer from the deal. Ruthless brothers Ben (Ross Bickell) and Oscar (John Shepard), want their social-climbing sister Regina (Helena Ruoti), to get a loan from her banker husband, Horace (Michael McKenzie). Since Horace is in Baltimore being treated by a heart specialist, Regina sends their daughter, Alexandra (Lara Hillier), to bring him home. Oscar's timid wife Birdie (Deirdre Madigan) wants to go along her but her husband says no.

Although Horace returns, things don't go the way the siblings plan. Oscar's son Leo (Christopher Landis), who works in the bank, then devises a plan to "borrow" some bonds from Horace's safety deposit box. Loyal maid Addie (Linda Haston) informs Horace about some of the family's treachery. When Horace sends his servant, Cal (Wali Jamal), to get his box from the bank, all hell breaks loose. It's juicy plot, scathing humor, and emotional fireworks have made The Little Foxes an American classic.

The design team for The Little Foxes is James Noone (Scenic), David R. Zyla (Costumes), Kirk Bookman (Lighting), and Zach Moore (Sound). Don Wadsworth is the Dialect Coach and Fred Noel is the Production Stage Manager.

Lillian Hellman was one of the most accomplished, independent, and controversial women of the 20th century. Her writing includes plays, screenplays, and memoirs. Her first play, The Children's Hour, moved Hellman into the upper echelon of American writers. Born in New Orleans in 1905, as a child she moved with her family to New York. While growing up she returned often to the South, which is the setting of her plays The Little Foxes, Another Part of the Forest, and Toys in the Attic. Many of her characters are said to be based on members of her family. Hellman died in 1984.

For tickets call 412.316.1600 or visit www.ppt.org. Pittsburgh Public Theater is led by Producing Artistic Director Ted Pappas.

 

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