Hutchison and Maulella Join Cast of THEY KNEW WHAT THEY WANTED Reading at WCP

Brian Hutchison, who recently appeared as George in "Of Mice and Men" at Westport Country Playhouse, and Andrea Maulella, who last August appeared in The Playhouse production "Tryst," will join Shuler Hensley ("Young Frankenstein: The New Mel Brooks Musical"), Keir Dullea ("The Good Shepherd") and other actors for a reading of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play "They Knew What They Wanted," directed by JoAnne Woodward, on Monday, November 10, 7 p.m., at Westport Country Playhouse (JoAnne Woodward and Anne Keefe, artistic directors, and Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, managing director).

The reading is part of "The Classical Series," bringing together professional actors to read works by master playwrights.  Tickets to the one-night-only event are $15.

"They Knew What They Wanted" is written by Sidney Howard, winner of the 1939 Academy Award for his screen adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's "Gone with the Wind."  The romantic comedy is about Tony, an aging, Italian-born vineyard owner in Napa Valley, and his misbegotten mail-order marriage to Amy, a lonely, young waitress from San Francisco who once waited on him.  Proposing by letter, Tony misrepresents himself by sending Amy a photo of his handsome foreman, Joe.  When Amy arrives at Tony's vineyard to become his bride, she is astonished in finding out the truth and soon is drawn into a liaison with Joe. The play was later adapted into the Broadway musical, "The Most Happy Fella."

Brian Hutchison, who will play Joe, appeared on Broadway in "The Invention of Love" and "Proof." He has performed off-Broadway and in regional theatre productions at Williamstown Theatre Festival and Yale Repertory Theatre, among others.  Film and television credits include "Dealbreaker," "Hope & Faith," "Law & Order: SVU" and "Law & Order: CI." 

Andrea Maulella, who will play Amy, most recently appeared in "Small Craft Warnings" at White Horse Theatre Company.  New York credits include Richard Vetere's "One Shot One Kill," nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.  Regional theatre appearances include "Tryst" at Alley Theatre. On television she has been on "The Sopranos" and "Spin City," in addition to the independent film, "Love Ludlow."

Other cast members are Ross Bickell and Bill Phillips.

"The Classical Series" is supported, in part, by the White Barn Program of the Lucille Lortel Foundation and the Newman's Own Foundation.

Celebrating its 78th season, the venerable Westport Country Playhouse (JoAnne Woodward and Anne Keefe, Artistic Directors; Jodi Schoenbrun Carter, Managing Director) is creating innovative new works and dynamic revivals. The Playhouse has produced more than 700 plays, 36 of which later transferred to Broadway including "Come Back, Little Sheba" with Shirley Booth; "The Trip to Bountiful" with Lillian Gish; "Butterflies Are Free" with Keir Dullea and Blythe Danner; "Absurd Person Singular" with Sandy Dennis, Geraldine Page and Tony Roberts; and "Our Town" with Paul Newman.  The list of actors, directors, and other theatre artists who have worked and continue to perform on The Playhouse's legendary stage reads like a "Who's Who" of the American theatre.  Following a multi-million dollar renovation completed in 2005, The Playhouse now produces year-round, welcoming 85,000 audience members annually. In addition to a full season of theatrical productions, The Playhouse presents educational programming and workshops; a children's theatre series; symposiums; music; films; and readings of short fiction, classical works and new plays.  Westport Country Playhouse serves as a treasured home for the theatrical arts, its audiences and its artists.  For the State of Connecticut, it is a true cultural landmark. Your experience begins at www.westportplayhouse.org.

For more information or reservations, call the box office at (203) 227-4177, or toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport. Information about The Playhouse is also available at www.westportplayhouse.org.

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