Photo Flash: First Look at Wendy Beckett's A BETTER PLACE at The Duke on 42nd Street

The world premiere limited engagement of A Better Place, a new work by playwright Wendy Beckett (Anaïs Nin: One Of Her Lives, A Charity Case) and directed by Evan Bergman (Jericho), is now in previews and will open Sunday, May 15 at The Duke on 42nd Street, a NEW 42ND STREET® project (229 West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues). Performances began on Thursday, May 5.

Running six weeks only, A Better Place is presented by The Directors Company, in association with Pascal Productions.

The cast of A Better Place features Jessica DiGiovanni (Sleepwalkers, Melissa's Choice at Theater Row), John FitzGibbon(Murder in the First, four episodes of the original "Hawaii Five-O"), Drama Desk Award nominee Judith Hawking (Soldier's Wife, Ivanov), Edward James Hyland (Bridge of Spies, Machinal, Juno and the Paycock), Rob Maitner (Fairy Tales, the world premiere production of Urinetown, "Sondheim Unplugged" at 54 Below), and Michael Satow (Final Analysis, Under Jakob's Ladder).

A Better Place is a new play about Manhattanites' lust for real estate. A male couple becomes transfixed by their neighbors; they can't tear themselves away from the window. The lifestyle over there is sumptuous, and they have a quirky daughter whose tastes run to exhibitionism. Speculation begins...where did they get all that wealth? And what about the kooky brokers who regularly visit them? Who are these funny people in the glorious glass box? We all want what they have! Could it be they have attained- A Better Place?

The creative team includes David Arsenault (scenic design), Russell H. Champa (lighting design), Valerie Marcus Ramshur(costume design), and Sam Kunetz (sound design).

A Better Place marks Wendy Beckett's sixth of ten plays written for production in New York City over a ten-year period. The play also reunites Beckett with director Evan Bergman (Love Therapy) and scenic designer David Arsenault (A Charity Case).

Photos by Jenny Anderson