HABIT OF ART Opens at The Metheny Theatre, 9/7

The Studio Theatre follows up its 2008 hit production of The History Boys with Alan Bennett's next play, The Habit of Art. Deep in the bowels of London's National Theatre, rehearsals for a new play go apace: Benjamin Britten is having trouble with his latest opera and seeks out his collaborator, poet W. H. Auden, after a twenty-five year separation. Between visits by a rent boy and a biographer-whom Auden briefly mistakes for the rent boy-these aging artists wrestle with their desires, their jealousies, the ephemeral connection between creativity and inspiration, and all the reasons their friendship fell apart.

"It's an honor to give this play its first U.S. production," says David Muse, Studio Theatre Artistic Director and director of The Habit of Art. "Alan Bennett is one of Britain's most talented playwrights, and this play is a combination of great British wit and a kind of peek behind the curtain-a look at the unvarnished lives of these great artists, as well as the backstage joys and difficulties of making theatre."

Like The History Boys, The Habit of Art broke box office records at the National and the production toured the country before reopening in London. It was praised for Bennett's "characteristic mixture of wit and wistfulness," (The Guardian), called "deft, amusing, and so intelligently and generously crafted that it makes you feel clever just watching it" (Sunday Times), and heralded as "A tsunami of jokes, a tidal wave of argumentative statements, a gorgeous gust of opinion" (The Observer).

Alan Bennett's theatrical career began in 1960 when he wrote and starred in the satirical review Beyond the Fringe along with Dudley Moore, Peter Cook, and Jonathan Miller. The show started at the Edinburgh Festival and traveled to the West End and New York. Since writing his first solo play in 1961, Bennett has produced twenty plays, more than thirty television and film writing credits, and almost a dozen published volumes of memoir, essays, and stories. His plays include Kafka's Dick, Talking Heads (originally written and filmed for television), The Madness of George III, and The History Boys. Bennett's work has earned him multiple Evening Standard awards and Olivier Awards in London as well as two Tony awards, several Drama Desk Awards, Drama Critics Awards, Drama League Awards, and New York Outer Critics' Awards in the US. He has also received an Academy Award nomination for the screenplay of The Madness of King George and various honors for his television and radio work.

Artistic Director David Muse directs The Habit of Art, following his hit productions of Venus in Fur and Circle Mirror Transformation during the 2010-2011 Season. His other productions at The Studio Theatre and Studio 2ndStage include Reasons to Be Pretty, Blackbird, Frozen, and The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow. A three-time Helen Hayes Award nominee for Outstanding Direction, Muse was a recipient of the DC Mayor's Arts Award for Outstanding Emerging Artist and The National Theatre Conference Emerging Artist Award. Other directing credits include Henry V, Romeo and Juliet, and Julius Caesar at The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune at Arena Stage, The Bluest Eye at Theatre Alliance, and Swansong for the New York Summer Play Festival.

The International Plays of the 2011-2012 Season are generously underwritten by Otho Eskin.
This production of The Habit of Art is generously underwritten by Judy and Stephen Hopkins.
Starring: Ted Van Griethuysen (W. H. Auden) and Paxton Whitehead (Benjamin Britten)
With: Randy Harrison (Tim), Margaret Daly (Kay), Cameron Folmar (Humphrey Carpenter),
Matt Dewberry (George), Wynn Harmon (Neil), Will Cooke (Ralph), Alfredo Palupa (Tom), and
Lynn Sharp Spears (Joan).

Director and Designers: David Muse (Director), James Noone (Set Design), Nancy Schertler
(Lighting Design), Alex Jaeger (Costume Design), Veronika Vorel (Sound Design), and
Adrien-Alice Hansel (Dramaturg).

THE HABIT OF ART INFORMATION
Where: The Metheny Theatre
Dates: September 7, 2011-October 16, 2011
Performances: Wednesday-Saturday: 8:00pm, Sunday: 7:00pm Matinees: Saturday and Sunday: 2:00pm Select Tuesdays: September 20, 27, October 4: 8:00pm
Ticket Prices: $35-$69
Press Opening: Sunday, September 11

THE Studio Theatre INFORMATION:
The Studio Theatre is Washington's premiere venue for Contemporary Theatre, "where local audiences will find today's edgiest playwrights" (Variety). Founded in 1978 by Joy Zinoman, the theatre is in its first season under the leadership of Artistic Director David Muse. Muse is joined by Keith Alan Baker, Managing Director/Artistic Director, 2ndStage; Serge Seiden, Associate Producing Artistic Director; and Morey B. Epstein, Executive Director of Institutional Development.

One of the most respected midsized theatres in the country, The Studio Theatre produces the work of today's greatest writers, augmented by occasional productions of modern classics, performed by acclaimed actors in intimate spaces. Studio's programming, while purposefully eclectic, emphasizes plays of sophistication and style with true literary and theatrical merit. The five plays of The Studio Theatre Season form the core of its work, and are complemented by its Special Events, which bring unique performances and one-of-a-kind events to Washington DC; the rawer, frequently irreverent productions of The Studio 2ndStage; and the Studio Lab, in its inaugural season, which is dedicated to stripped-down productions of invigorating new work. Housed in a landmark complex that anchors the 14th Street Arts District, each of Studio's four theatres seats fewer than 225 patrons, giving Studio Productions their signature intimacy. Throughout the Theatre's 34-year history, the quality of its work has been recognized by sustained community support as well as with 271 nominations and 55 Helen Hayes Awards for excellence in professional theatre. In addition, The Studio Theatre Acting Conservatory has trained over 10,000 students, many of whom have gone on to acclaimed careers across the country. A premiere cultural organization in Washington DC, The Studio Theatre serves more than 75,000 people annually and is proud to make a vital contribution to its neighborhood and city.

 

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