Susan Lynskey to Lead MetroStage's GHOST-WRITER; Full Cast Announced!

Ghost-Writer by Michael Hollinger will be in performance at MetroStage April 25-June 2.

Inspired by the relationship of novelist Henry James and his typist Theodora Bosanquet, Hollinger has written a fascinating study of the act (or art) of creation as it involves fictional novelist Franklin Woolsey, his typist Myra Babbage, and his wife Vivian. Taking place in 1919 coinciding with the advent of the typewriter, Woolsey, after dictating several novels, dies leaving his typist, who proceeds to continue writing in his voice. Of course, this makes his wife, the publisher and the general public wild with curiosity as to how this is happening. An intriguing story about the writing process, creativity and love.

John Vreeke has directed many shows at MetroStage, probably most notably Heroes, which won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Ensemble. He has also directed Lonely Planet, The Real Inspector Hound, One Good Marriage and For The Pleasure of Seeing Her Again at MetroStage. This year he was nominated for Outstanding Director for The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity at Woolly Mammoth where he is a company member. A resident of Seattle, next season he will be directing The Thousandth Night at MetroStage along with productions at Woolly Mammoth, Round House, Theatre J, and Forum Theatre.

Helen Hedman (Vivian Woolsey) was last seen at MetroStage in the title role of Bea's Niece. Recent performances include Amanda Wingfield in The Glass Menagerie at The Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, and Long Day's Journey into Night at Arena. She has also worked at Signature, the Shakespeare Theatre, Studio and Everyman Theatre. She received a Helen Hayes nomination for Piaf at Potomac Theatre Project.

Paul Morella (Franklin Woolsey) has previously appeared at MetroStage in Sidney Bechet Killed A Man, Burn This, and Speed-the-Plow. He has performed leading roles at the major theaters in the area, including, most recently, God of Carnage at Signature Theatre, and Over the Tavern, and a reprise of his one-person A Christmas Carol, both at Olney Theatre. He has appeared in another Michael Hollinger Opus also at Olney.

Susan Lynskey (Myra Baggage) was last seen at MetroStage in The Girl in the Goldfish Bowl where she received the Audience Choice Award from DC Theatre Scene. Most recently, she has been in the cast of Pride and Prejudice at Round House and Our Town at Ford's Theatre. She received a Helen Hayes nomination for Laramie Project at Olney. She is on the faculty of the Theatre and Performance Studies Department at Georgetown University.

Designers are Jane Fink (set), Ivania Stack (costumes), Robert Garner (sound) and Alexander Keen (lighting). Jessica Winfield is the Production Stage Manager.

Performances for Ghost-Writer will be Thursdays and Fridays at 8, Saturdays at 5 (note the twilight performance time) and 8, Sundays at 3 and 7, April 25-June 2. Thursday Apr. 25 will be a PWYC (minimum $10). Press night is Sunday Apr. 28 at 7 pm.

For ticket reservations call 800-494-8497 or go online to www.metrostage.org. For information and group sales call 703-548-9044. MetroStage is located at 1201 North Royal St. in North Old Town Alexandria. There is a free parking lot and fine dining nearby. The theatre is handicap accessible.