DESPERATE GAME Revival to be Presented at American Theatre of Actors
Stephanie Sottile and Ted Doyle star in John DeBenedetto's production at the ATA's 50th classical season.
The American Theatre of Actors will present a rare professional revival of "A Desperate Game," the 1853 one-act comedy by master farceur John Maddison Morton. Directed by John DeBenedetto, the production will run from May 20th through May 31st, 2026, serving as a cornerstone of the ATA's landmark 50th Anniversary Classical Season.
Originally premiered at London's Theatre Royal Adelphi on April 9, 1853, "A Desperate Game" showcases the sharp-tongued wit and frantic energy that made Morton the most popular playwright of his era. The plot follows a wealthy, independent widow as she is relentlessly pursued by two very different suitors, each maneuvering with "desperate" stakes to win her hand-and her fortune.
John Maddison Morton, perhaps best known as the creator of the enduring Box and Cox, was a titan of mid-19th-century comedy whose influence stretched from the music halls of London to the operettas of Gilbert & Sullivan. Despite his historical significance and prolific output, much of Morton's expansive catalog has remained unperformed for over a century. This production offers New York audiences a unique opportunity to rediscover a "lost" masterpiece of the Victorian stage.
The cast features Stephanie Sottile as Mrs. Somerton, Ted Doyle as Capt. Ratcliffe, Paul Maurizio as Percy Postlewaite, Charles Kennedy IV as Patrick, and Alex Silverman as David.
This production continues the ATA's half-century tradition of providing visibility for theatrical works outside the mainstream commercial industry.
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