Silver Spring Stage to Present ORSON'S SHADOW, 1/9-31

Silver Spring Stage presents Orson's Shadow by Austin Pendleton, directed and produced by Seth Ghitelman, which draws back the curtain on a fascinating and witty portrayal of theater titans jockeying for control while rehearsing a new play. Orson's Shadow, the area community theater premiere, will perform weekends January 9 to January 31, 2015.

Silver Spring Stage is located in the Woodmoor Shopping Center, lower level (next to the CVS) at Colesville Road and University Boulevard. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $18 for seniors and students. Performances are Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM and Sundays January 18 and 25 at 2:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased at www.ssstage.org. Information is also available by calling (301) 593-6036.

Orson's Shadow draws on the historically accurate one time that Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier worked together on the London premiere of Eugene Ionesco's absurd classic Rhinoceros. Playwright (and actor and director) Austin Pendleton realized this little known episode in these legends' lives was full of comedy and drama as it converged with Olivier's break up to the icon Vivien Leigh and affair with Joan Plowright (soon to be his third wife) while Welles was trying to rescue his failing career with a life-long dream to stage and film his version of Shakespeare's Falstaff and celebrated critic Kenneth Tynan was trying to forge a new partnership with Olivier to run the National Theater. In other words, it's a goldmine of theatrical egos and back stage mischief. Orson's Shadow debuted in 2000 followed by a successful run Off-Broadway in 2005 winning the Drama League Distinguished Performance Award. Pendleton was attracted to the story as the main characters are struggling to shed the mental baggage of prior successes: "I think that these characters are all on the line. Playwrights are drawn to people, whether imaginary or actual, who do that. Who wants to watch an evening of people who don't put themselves on the line? They allow themselves to be totally vulnerable and I like that." The characters put everything on the line debating artistic merit and integrity as the rehearsal plunges into chaos. Orson's Shadow will draw audiences as these famous entertainers stage themselves into hilarity.

Orson's Shadow opens in Dublin in 1960 where Orson Welles (Michael Kharfen) is acting in his play Chimes at Midnight when Kenneth Tynan (David Dieudonne) visits to convince Welles to direct Laurence Olivier (Bill Hurlbut) and Joan Plowright (Lena Winter) in Eugene Ionesco's Rhinoceros. Tynan has his work cut out for him to convince Welles to work with Olivier and Olivier to work with Welles. Both men agree seeing the opportunity to further their theatrical ambitions. Welles brings along his assistant Sean (Kenneth Matis). Meanwhile Olivier and Plowright are in the early stages of a romantic liaison developing at the end of his tumultuous marriage to Vivien Leigh (Leta Hall). The alchemy Orson's Shadow produces among these personalities is intoxicating, funny, clever and even heartbreaking.

The production team includes Amy Sullivan (Assistant Director), Jerry Schuchman (Stage Manager), Bob Scott (Lighting Design), Bruce Hirsch (Sound Design), Sonya Okin (Props Design), and Emma Gorin (Costume Design).

Silver Spring Stage continues its 2014-2015 season with 33 Variations (Feb. 27-Mar. 21), The Language Archive (Apr. 10-May 2), On the Razzle (May 29-June 20), and Venus in Fur (July 10-Aug. 1).

Silver Spring Stage has provided quality, affordable theatre for over 40 years. We are an all-volunteer, non- profit organization and appreciate any contribution to enable us to offer excellent and entertaining productions. Thank you for your interest and support of Silver Spring Stage. All programs at Silver Spring Stage are made possible in part by a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council.