Dayton Theatre Guild Presents The Paris Letter Feb. 27 - Mar. 15

The Dayton Theatre Guild presents the fourth show of its 2008-2009 season, The Paris Letter, beginning Friday, February 27, 2009 and running through Sunday, March 15, 2009. It is directed by Greg Smith and produced by Carol Finley and Barbara Jorgensen.

This is a timely drama of power, love, money, secrets, betrayal, loneliness and death. Jon Robin Baitz' multifaceted portrayal of a closeted Wall Street hotshot premiered in Los Angeles in 2004 moving to New York City in 2005.

This modern Greek tragedy is narrated by the elegant Anton Kilgallen (Gil Martin), who moves in and out of flashbacks from 1962-2002, recounting and re-enacting a 40-year friendship with the powerful but repressed Sanford Sonnenberg (Michael Boyd). Their initial youthful affair ends as Sandy succumbs to social and cultural pressure to deny his sexual identity, conforms to a mainstream lifestyle and enters the family investment business. His life then moves on to 'appropriate' if joyless personal and professional success, and eventual ruin.

The ensemble cast includes veterans Gil Martin (A Walk in the Woods, Dice House and Outward Bound at the Guild), Michael Boyd (Constant Wife and Outward Bound), Henni Fisher (Always Patsy Cline, Sordid Lives, Hello Dolly, Gypsy), and newcomers Matt Curry (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, Footfalls, Cripple of Inishmaan, and Triumph of Love at Sinclair
Community College), and Ian K. Manuel, most recently seen in Beavercreek Community Theatre's Finding December.

Baitz, a successful and prolific playwright, also wrote The Substance of Fire, Three Hotels, Ten Unknowns, The Film Society and other works. The Paris Letter, commissioned in 2002 by the Boston Huntington Theatre Company, is a gripping, in-depth portrayal of one man's denial of self and its tragic consequences for him and those around him. It is intended for mature audiences.

The Paris Letter runs three weekends in February and March , Fridays through Sundays, beginning on Friday, February 27th and closing March 15th. Friday performances are at 8:00 p.m., the first Saturday is at 8:00 p.m., with second and third Saturday performances at 5:00 p.m. Sunday matinees are at 3:00 p.m. No one under the age of seventeen will be admitted. Tickets are
$17 for adults, $15 for seniors and $10 for students. Reservations can be made via the website at www.daytontheatreguild.org, or by calling the Guild at (937) 278-5993.

The Dayton Theatre Guild opened with "Outward Bound" at the Dayton Art institute in late 1945. The 1963 - 1964 season opened with "Night of the Iguana" at the Guild's current location at 2330 Salem Avenue, Dayton, OH 45406. Over 400 plays have been produced, offering good plays done well, and utilizing all-volunteer casts, crews and administration. The Guild will be moving to its new home in the Oregon District prior to the 2009 - 2010 season.

 

 

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