Summer and Smoke 1948 - Articles Page 1.8

Classic Stage Company presents a new production of Tennessee Williams' SUMMER AND SMOKE, directed by Jack Cummings III, Artistic Director of The Transport Group, at CSC (136 East 13th Street) for a limited engagement through May 25. Opening night was Thursday, May 3. Let's see what the critics had to say...

Despite only three Broadway credits, Marin Ireland must be regarded as one of the absolute best actors to regularly grace New York stages during this century. Through her steady work Off-Broadway (15 productions since 2001 and playing leading roles for several of the city's major non-profits) local audiences have seen her portrayals grow from young women of the past sporting underestimated brilliance (SABINA, THE RUBY SUNRISE) to emotionally frazzled contemporary types (MAPLE & VINE, REASONS TO BE PRETTY) and struggling survivors (KILL FLOOR, IRONBOND).

The Acting Company presents a one-night-only benefit reading of The Night of the Iguana, Tennessee Williams' feverishly poetic 1961 drama, at The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College (68th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues), on Monday, June 11. Directed by Michael Wilson, the acclaimed Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award-winner, the performance reunites much of the cast and creative team from last season's critically acclaimed production at the American Repertory Theatre. 

Classic Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Doyle and Executive Producer Jeff Griffin, and Transport Group, under the leadership of Jack Cummings III (Artistic Director) and Lori Fineman (Executive Director), present a new production of Tennessee Williams' SUMMER AND SMOKE, directed by Jack Cummings III, Artistic Director of The Transport Group, now in  previews at CSC (136 East 13th Street) for a limited engagement through Sunday, May 20.  Opening night is Thursday, May 3.  The cast of SUMMER AND SMOKE will feature Glenna Brucken (Rosemary), Phillip Clark (Dr. Buchanan), Nathan Darrow (John Buchanan),  Hannah Elless (Nellie Ewell), Elena Hurst (Rosa Gonzales), Marin Ireland (Alma Winemiller), Tina Johnson(Mrs. Bassett), Gerardo Rodriguez (Papa Gonzales), T. Ryder Smith (Reverend Winemiller), Ryan Spahn (Archie Kramer),Jonathan Spivey (Roger Doremus), and Barbara Walsh (Mrs. Winemiller).

Bookworks hosts many stellar events for reading fans in April, ranging from literary fiction, to mystery, to new nonfiction.

The girl who said 'no' - she doesn't exist anymore, she died last summer - suffocated in smoke from something on fire inside her. In the heat of summer - under the wings of an angel - Alma meets John. Trapped between desire and fear in a life of obligation, her world turns upside down in the search for salvation. Check out photos from the production below!

Classic Stage Company presents a new production of Tennessee Williams' SUMMER AND SMOKE, directed by Jack Cummings III, Artistic Director of The Transport Group, beginning performances Friday, April 13. The cast of SUMMER AND SMOKE will feature Glenna Brucken (Rosemary), Phillip Clark (Dr. Buchanan), and more.

The girl who said 'no' - she doesn't exist anymore, she died last summer - suffocated in smoke from something on fire inside her. In the heat of summer - under the wings of an angel - Alma meets John.

Joining the previously announced Patsy Ferran are Seb Carrington, Nancy Crane, Eric MacLennan, Forbes Masson, Matthew Needham, Tok Stephen and Anjana Vasan. The production is designed by Tom Scutt, with lighting design by Lee Curran, composition by Angus MacRae, sound by Carolyn Downing and casting by Julia Horan.

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, has announced complete casting for their production of the original 1947 radio play of Miracle on 34th Street, which is being presented in honor of its 70th anniversary for a limited engagement of 14 performances from December 14 to 23 (press opening is December 15).

Pasadena Playhouse, the State Theatre of California, has announced complete casting for their production of the original 1947 radio play of Miracle on 34th Street, which is being presented in honor of its 70th anniversary for a limited engagement of 14 performances from December 14 to 23 (press opening is December 15).

Herman Leonard: The Rhythm of Old New York will be on view at Robert Mann Gallery September 7 - October 14, 2017, with an opening reception set for September 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Herman Leonard: The Rhythm of Old New York will be on view at Robert Mann Gallery September 7 - October 14, 2017, with an opening reception set for September 7 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Almeida Artistic Director Rupert Goold said: 'We are thrilled to present three major new productions at the Almeida, including two world premieres and one rare revival. Spanning the Atlantic and beyond, this season is a timely and limitless interrogation into contemporary cultural anxieties and the power we have over our own lives.'

Since first achieving fame as a teen pop sensation in the 1950s, Neil Sedaka has kept America singing for six decades. He brings the timeless hits of his storied career to Heinz Hall to perform with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra during the PNC Pops weekend May 12-14.

1948's Summer and Smoke was rewritten in the 60s by Tennessee Williams and what resulted was a more clearly structured/themed play with the same central characters entitled The Eccentricities of a Nightingale. Music teacher Miss Alma (Ginna Carter), daughter of an Episcopal minister Reverend Winemiller (Brad Greenquist), was passionately in love with her neighbor young Dr. John Buchanan (Andrew Dits) and when that love was unrequited rather than become a miserable spinster, she turned to  prostitution. Now in a rare and lovely production of the refined play at PRT, poetic spirit is alive and well in Miss Alma, the Spanish word for soul.

Artistic Director of The Print Room at the Coronet Anda Winters today announces the full cast for Tennessee Williams' rarely performed A LOVELY SUNDAY IN CREVE COEUR, which opens the theatre's new Autumn season. Michael Oakley directs Debbie Chazen as Bodey, Hermione Gulliford as Helena, Laura Rogers as Dorothea and Julia Watson as Miss Gluck. The production opens in the main theatre space on 15 September, with previews from 12 September and runs until 7 October.

Artistic Director Anda Winters today announces Print Room at the Coronet's forthcoming season running through until December 2016. The season opens with Tennessee Williams' A Lovely Sunday for Creve Coeur, directed by Michael Oakley. The production opens in the main theatre space on 15 September, with previews from 12 September, and runs until 7 October.

The City Theatre continues its summer season with the Tennessee Williams American classic, The Glass Menagerie, which revolutionized modern drama and is still an undisputed masterpiece from one of the great voices of the American theatre.  Directed by Jeff Hinkle and starring Ben McLemore, Sarah Zeringue, Terri Bennett, and Donato De Luca. The production runs July 22 - August 14, 2016.

This summer, L.A. audiences get to see a brand new play by Tennessee Williams. Simon Levy directs the West Coast premiere of Baby Doll, adapted by Pierre Laville and Emily Mann from the 1956 Academy Award-nominated film of the same name - the first-ever Williams Estate-approved adaptation of this Williams screenplay. Baby Doll opens at the Fountain Theatre on July 16, starring Daniel Bess, Karen Kondazian, Lindsay LaVanchy, John Prosky and George Roland.

Virginia Repertory Theatre announces the opening of Summer and Smoke by Tennessee Williams at the Sara Belle and Neil November Theatre, 114 West Broad Street on Friday, April 22 with a preview on Thursday, April 21. The production runs through May 15, 2016. Set in Mississippi at the dawn of the 20th century, the story centers on a young woman's sexual awareness as it evolves from chaste modesty to desire. First staged on Broadway in 1948, the show was not well received. A 1952 revival at Circle in the Square Theatre featuring a legendary performance by Geraldine Page received rave reviews and was credited with beginning the Off-Broadway movement. Stu Falconer, one of six New York actors to form Barksdale Theatre (now Virginia Rep) in 1953, left his job as the stage manager of that Circle in the Square production to move to Virginia.

Tennessee Williams published Summer and Smoke in 1948 and revised and rewrote it in 1964 as The Eccentricities of a Nightingale. Summer and Smoke is the popular, much revived version despite the fact Tennessee himself among many critics considered the second version to be the most lyrical representation of Miss Alma, the Spanish word for soul. In both plays singer/music teacher Alma Winemiller (Tara Battani), daughter of an Episcopalean minister (Jeffrey Markle), is passionately in love with her neighbor young Dr. John Buchanan (Gregory James) and when that love is gradually unrequited rather than become a miserable spinster, after a long struggle of illness and isolation, she turns to prostitution. In a handsome production of Summer and Smoke at Actors co-op, Williams' debate between the flesh and the spirit, body vs. soul, is still burning with poetic truth after almost 70 years.

?Due to popular demand, A Red Orchid Theatre has extended its critically-acclaimed production of Tennessee Williams' The Mutilated, directed by Ensemble Member Dado. The Mutilated will now run through March 13, 2016. The Mutilated features Ensemble Members Lance Baker, Jennifer Engstrom, Mierka Girten, Steve Haggard, Shade Murray, Doug Vickers and Natalie West with Ciera Dawn, Jennifer Glasse, Roy Gonzalez, Mario Hernandez, Morgan Maher, Lauren Vogel and Dominque Worsley. A Red Orchid Theatre is located at 1531 N Wells.

Actors Co-op (Ovation Award-Winner 2014 Best Intimate Theatre Musical for 110 in the Shade) announces the third show in its 2015-2016 season (and 24th year of producing theatrical excellence in Los Angeles!) with Tennessee Williams masterpiece SUMMER AND SMOKE, directed by Thom Babbes.  SUMMER AND SMOKE will preview on Wednesday, March 2 and Thursday, March 3 at 8pm and will open on Friday, March 4 at 8pm and run through Sunday, April 17 at the Actors Co-op David Schall Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St. (on the campus of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood) in Hollywood.

Alex Turner Productions today announces the full cast for the UK premiere of Tennessee Williams' One Arm adapted for the stage by Moises Kaufman. Josh Seymour directs Joe Jameson (The Divinity Student), Georgia Kerr (The Girl in the French Quarter), Peter Hannah (The Guard), James Tucker (Lester) and Tom Varey (Ollie Olsen). The company members play multiple roles around the central character of Ollie Olsen - characters weaving through the complex tapestry of his life. The production opens at Southwark Playhouse on 12 June, with previews from 10 June, and runs until 4 July.