United Solo Theatre Festival Presents SPEED QUEEN, 11/8-11

The United Solo Theatre Festival will present "THE SPEED QUEEN," based on the novel The Speed Queen by Stewart O'Nan, adapted and performed by Anne Stockton and directed by Austin Pendleton for one performance only on Thursday, November 18th at 8:30 pm.  The performance is part of the larger United Solo Theatre Festival presenting the works of 47 solo artists running November 8th through November 11th at Theatre Row.  All tickets are $18.00 and can be purchased at Theatre Row box office, on line at Telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.  "The Speed Queen is being presented at Theatre Row's The Studio Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street (Between 9th and 10th Avenues).
   
In THE SPEED QUEEN, based on the novel of the same name by Steward O'Nan, Marjorie Standiford, an original if not reliable narrator tells the story of her wild life of sex, drugs, and crime which includes the murder of 8 people.  While waiting for what may be her imminent execution on Oklahoma's death row, Marjorie attempts to set the record straight as she answers questions posed to her by America's most popular horror novelist who hopes to create a best selling book based on her story.
 
Playwright and performer Anne Stockton has appeared in "THE SPEED QUEEN" at the Workshop Theatre as part of the Midtown InterNational Theatre Festival ("...a riveting tale...exciting adaptation...she portrays this decadent and destructive character with humanity and dignity" -Hi Drama), New Jersey Repertory Theater in Long Branch, New Jersey and at the Culture Project's Women Center Stage Festival.  Stockton has also toured her one woman show to Bedford Hills, Beacon and Sing Sing correctional facilities.  Critics have said of her performances, "few encounters are as rewarding as an audience with QUEEN" (Star Ledger).   "[Stockton] brings variety, vigor, and conviction to her portrayal...She certainly is giving us an entertaining and fast paced ride" (Talkin'Broadway). "Performed by the remarkable A! nne Stockton ... this is a daring piece of theater" (Theatermania.com).  Other New York credits include AMERICAN CAESAR at Theater Three (directed by Mary Kate Burke),  WEEKEND WITH BOB  at the  Paradise Theater (written by Tom Noonan), VEGETARIAN CARVES THE BIRD at the J.E.T. Theater.  Television:  LATE NIGHT WITH Conan O'Brien, GUIDING LIGHT, CENTRAL PARK WEST.  Actor /trainer in role-plays with New York City Police Department's Hostage Negotiation Team and Emergency Service Unit.  She is also a practicing psychiatrist.
   
Director Austin Pendleton also an actor and playwright received a 2007 Drama Desk award for A Renaissance Man of the American Theater. His third play, ORSON'S SHADOW premiered at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago and enjoyed an off-Broadway run.  He directed the Broadway production of THE LITTLE FOXES with ElizaBeth Taylor, the world premieres of SAY GOODNIGHT, GRACIE and THE RUNNER STUMBLES and last season's TOYS IN THE ATTIC at the Pearl Theater.  He has also directed at the Steppenwolf Theatre and the Williamstown Theatre Festival.  He was the Artistic Director of The Circle Repertory Theatre in New York.  As an actor he has appeared in original Broadway cast of  FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, HAIL SCRAWDYKE, DOUBLES and the Lincoln Center and Broadway revivals of DIARY OF Anne Frank and ! THE LITTLE FOXES, directed by Mike Nichols. Last season he appeared  in MOTHER COURAGE in The Public Theater's Shakespeare in the Park - this season he is appearing in their production of ROMEO AND JULIET. Off-Broadway appearances include EDUCATING RITA, OH DAD, POOR DAD, THE LAST SWEET DAYS OF ISAAC, SOPHISTRY and the title roles in HAMLET, RICHARD III, and UNCLE VANYA.  Mr. Pendleton has appeared in over 50 films including FINDING NEMO,  A BEAUTIFUL MIND, AMISTAD, THE FANTASTICKS, TWO DAYS IN THE VALLEY, THE MIRROR HAS TWO FACES, GUARDING TESS, MY COUSIN VINNY, MR. AND MRS. BRIDGE, THE FRONT PAGE, WHAT'S UP DOC? and CATCH  22. Television appearances include: LAW AND ORDER, SVU, HOMICIDE, OZ, FRASER, AMERICAN DREAMER, MIAMI VICE, and ST. ELSEWHERE.  Mr. Pendleton's first published play BOOTH, starred Frank Langella and played at the Long Wharf Theatre as well as Off-Broadway.  His second play UNCLE BOB, was originally produce! d at the Mint Theatre in New York.  His musical A MINISTE! R'S WIFE (adapted from the Shaw's play CANDIDA and co-written with Josh Schmidt and Jan Tranen) will open next spring at the Mitzi Newhouse Theatre at Lincoln Center.
   
Novelist Stewart O'Nan is an award-winning fiction writer whose works include Snow Angels, The Names Of The Dead, The Speed Queen, A World Away, A Prayer For The Dying, Everyday People, and the story collection in The Walled City.  In 1996, Granta named him one of America's Best Young Novelists.  He wrote The Speed Queen in 66 days while living on Route 66.  The New York Times said of The Speed Queen, "his book features an unfailing intelligence, a grim and bracing humor, an unblinking eye for the telling detail."
   
United Solo^TM is a New York-based partnership of theatre makers dedicated to the genre of one-person performance. Their goal is to present new pieces, both local and international; discover original scripts; bring creators together; exchange perspectives; assemble performers, companies, and institutions, as well as other activities related to solo performance. It is their belief that the single person on stage gives the audience the opportunity to connect and focus on the uniqueness of human being. Through the exploration of existential themes, solo artists reflect upon political, sexual, economical, religious and social diversity. This diversity unites everyone in a constellation of unique solos.