Good Theater to Present THE GRAND MANNER, 11/6-24

By: Tyler Peterson Oct. 16, 2013

Good Theater has announced the New England premiere of A.R. Gurney's charming and funny THE GRAND MANNER directed by Brian P. Allen, playing November 6-24. Good Theater is the professional theater company in residence at the St. Lawrence Arts Center, 76 Congress Street, Portland. For tickets and information contact Good Theater at 207-885-5883 or go to www.goodtheater.com. Performance schedule: Wednesdays* 7:00 ($20), Thursdays 7:00 ($20), Fridays 7:30 ($25), Saturdays 3:00* ($25) & 7:30 ($28) and Sundays 2:00 ($28). Wednesdays 11/6 & 11/13; Saturday matinees at 3:00 11/16 & 11/23.

In 1948, playwright A.R. Gurney, then a young boarding-school student, traveled to New York where he attended a performance of Shakespeare'sAntony and Cleopatra. Going backstage afterwards to meet the production's star, the great stage actress Katharine Cornell, who was dubbed "The First Lady of the American Stage" by the legendary critic Alexander Woollcott. A mix of remembrance and imagination, THE GRAND MANNER is a love letter to this fabled actress and a heartfelt look back at the glorious heyday of the Broadway theatre.

THE GRAND MANNER stars Good Theater favorites Denise Poirier and Tony Reilly as legendary actress Katharine Cornell and Cornell's director/husband, Guthrie McClintic. Well-known actress Maureen Butler makes her Good Theater debut with this production as Cornell's assistant Gert Macy. Rounding out the four-member cast is newcomer Tristan Rolfe as "Pete," a young A.R. Gurney.

Denise Poirier has performed many times at Good Theater and is well remembered for her performance in last season's Good People. Other Good Theater roles include The Little Dog Laughed, The Dining Room, California Suite, Hay Fever, Light Up the Sky, Forum, Enchanted April, Rabbit Holeand Ruthless. Tony Reilly has given memorable performances as Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon, Pseudolous in Forum as well as roles in Hay Fever, Moonlight and Magnolias, and Next Fall. Maureen Butler is an affiliate artist at Portland Stage where she has given many notable performances. Tristan Rolfe has worked with several local theater companies and is making his Good Theater debut with this production.

THE GRAND MANNER will have a set designed by Cheryl Dolan, period costumes by Justin Cote, lighting design by Iain Odlin and Michael Lynch is the production stage manager. Steve Underwood is the technical director and Craig Robinson is the assistant technical director/photographer.

Good Theater's first show of the season, Clybourne Park sold out. Still to come this season: Broadway at Good Theater December 5-8, Becky's New Car by Steven Dietz January 29-February 23 and The Outgoing Tide by Bruce Graham March 5-30.

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