The NYSL Presents Ruth Wolff's Notable Women with The Actors Company Theatre
By: Gabrielle Sierra Jan. 14, 2011
The New York Society Library is pleased to present playwright and screenwriter Ruth Wolff, with Simon Jones, Tina Chen, and actors from The Actors Company Theater, discussing and performing scenes from Ms. Wolff's collection Notable Women-And a Few Equally Notable Men. The performance will take place Monday, January 31, at 6:30 p.m. at the New York Society Library, 53 East 79th Street (just east of Madison Avenue, 6 train to 77th Street). This event is generously supported by the Estate of Marian O. Naumburg.
The cost is $20 per person with advance registration, or $25 at the door. Reservations can be made at http://nyslnotablewomen.eventbrite.com/ or by contacting the Events Office at events@nysoclib.org or 212-288-6900 x230.
In connection with the recent publication of nine of her biographically based plays, playwright and screenwriter Ruth Wolff will share insights from the book's introductory essay, "The Art of Dramatizing Lives." With subjects as diverse as Christina of Sweden, Mary and Percy Shelley, Sarah Bernhardt, George Sand, Frederic Chopin, Edith and Woodrow Wilson, Hallie Flanagan, Joshua Slocum and Tzu-hsi, Dowager Empress of China, Wolff's plays have been performed throughout the US and around the world.
Ruth Wolff will recount her sometimes delightful, sometimes harrowing experiences in the writing and production of the plays-including encounters with Ingrid Bergman, Vanessa Redgrave and other luminaries-and will introduce scenes from each of the nine plays, to be performed by The Actors Company Theatre (TACT) and Tina Chen. The Abdication premiered at the Bristol Old Vic starring Gemma Jones as Queen Christina. The film starred Liv Ullmann and Peter Finch. Sarah in America premiered at the Kennedy Center starring Lilli Palmer as Bernhardt, directed by Sir Robert Helpmannn. The Second Mrs. Wilson premiered at the Barter Theatre. Empress of China premiered off-Broadway starring Tina Chen.
Simon Jones's Broadway credits range from Mike Nichols's The Real Thing in 1984 to 2009's Blithe Spirit with Angela Lansbury. Co-artistic director of TACT, he recently starred in their production of The Cocktail Party. A much lauded audiobook narrator, he played Bridey in the series Brideshead Revisited and starred as Arthur Dent in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
The New York Society Library was founded in 1754 and is the city's oldest library. In the eighteenth century, an organization labeled "Society" meant that it was open to all-available to everyone throughout society. The Library today is open to all for reading, reference, and selected events, with circulation and other services by subscription.
The beautiful landmarked building dates from 1917 and includes reading rooms, spaces for study, stacks, and the Assunta, Ignazio, Ada and Romano Peluso Exhibition Gallery. The Library has approximately 275,000 volumes and hosts a variety of special events, reading groups, and workshops, as well as the New York City Book Awards.
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