Photo Flash: THE HEIRESS Begins Previews at South Coast Rep 10/17

South Coast Repertory will present The Heiress, the psychological drama of love, innocence and betrayal by Ruth Goetz and Augustus Goetz.  Helmed by Artistic Director Martin Benson, The Heiress will run from Oct. 17 through Nov. 16 on the Segerstrom Stage.  Low-priced previews are available from Oct. 17 through Oct. 23.  Opening night is Oct. 24.  Press night is Saturday, Oct. 25 at 8:00 p.m.  Tickets to The Heiress may be purchased online at www.scr.org, by phone at (714) 708-5555 or in person at the SCR box office.

Loosely based on the classic Henry James novel Washington Square, The Heiress "alternately pierces the mind with its wit and shakes up the emotions with its brutality," according to The New York Times, and has achieved international success both on stage and screen.  Set in 1850s New York, a widower and his daughter go about their lives, each craving love but powerless to express their needs.  Into their home comes a suitor of great charm who awakens the daughter’s spirit and brightens her world – and may or may not be a fortune hunter.

Kirsten Potter heads up the cast as Catherine.  Potter appeared at SCR in last season’s production of Taking Steps.  Other theater credits include As You Like It at A Noise Within; Cat on a Hot Tin Roof at Geffen Playhouse; Honour, for which she was nominated for a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and Bold Girls, for which she earned a Garland Award honorable mention at Matrix Theatre Company; Sex Parasite at Mark Taper Forum; Red Herring and The Constant Wife at Laguna Playhouse; Major Barbara, The Living Room, Top Girls and Ride Down Mount Morgan at L.A. TheatreWorks and The Voysey Inheiritance and Tonight at 8:30 at The Antaeus Company.  While a company member with Milwaukee Repertory Theater, she premiered Work Song by Jeffrey Hatcher and Eric Simonson, Steven Dietz’ Paragon Springs and Force of Nature, and performed in over 20 productions.  Potter has also performed at theaters across the country including Seattle Repertory Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Huntington Theatre Company, Arena Stage, Geva Theatre Center, American Contemporary Theatre, American Conservatory Theater; and The Utah, California, Nebraska and Santa Fe Shakespeare Festivals.

Tony Amedola plays Catherine’s father, Dr. Sloper.  Amendola has appeared at many of the leading theaters throughout the country.  He was a resident actor, director and associate artist at Berkley Repertory Theatre from 1980-1990.  Other theater credits include Uncle Vanta, Glengarry Glenross and Othello at American Conservatory Theater; Lewis and Clark and Our Country’s Good at The Mark Taper Forum; Cymbeline and Timon of Athens at The Old Globe; Triumph of Love at La Jolla Playhouse; Filumena at Williamstown Theatre Festival (which later went on to New York); Waiting for Godot and Mad Forest at The Matrix Theatre Company.

Michael A. Newcomer takes on the role of Morris, Catherine’s suitor.  Newcomer’s theater credits include Titus Andronicus, Othello, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, The Comedy of Errors and The Winter’s Tale at The Old Globe; The Merchant of Venice, The Seagull, Flesh and Blood, Antigone and The Devils at Portland Center Stage; Love! Valour! Compassion! and The Devils at Actor’s Express; Tallgrass Gothic and A Bone Close to my Brain at Actors Theatre of Louisville’s Humana Festival; The Importance of Being Earnest at Dallas Theater Center; Romeo and Juliet at ALLIANCE THEATRE; Loot at the Intiman Theatre; Wintertime at A Contemporary Theatre and The Glass Menagerie at Virginia Stage Company.

Rounding out the cast are Karen Hensel (Mrs. Montgomery), Lynn Milgrim (Mrs. Penniman), Rebecca Mozo (Marian), Jennifer Parsons (Maria) and Amelia White (Elizabeth Almond).

The creative team for The Heiress is composed of Tom Buderwitz (Set Design), Maggie Morgan (Costume Design), Tom Ruzika (Lighting Design), Vincent Olivieri (Sound Design), Linda Sullivan Baity (Dramaturg) and Chrissy Church (Stage Manager).

Michael A. Newcomer and Kirsten Potter

Michael A. Newcomer and Kirsten Potter

Michael A. Newcomer and Kirsten Potter

Michael A. Newcomer, Kirsten Potter and Tony Amendola

Photos Courtesy of SCR