"I am honored to attend the Southern premiere of my play," said Ringel. "I believe The Little Theatre and Reynolda House saw in the life of J.C. Leyendecker the same elements that struck me: a visionary artistry, a defiance in living authentically, and his pioneering instinct to transform the love of his life, Charles Beach, into an international icon - in fact, the first advertising sex symbol. Indeed, Leyendecker's life offers numerous insights for contemporary audiences."
"I find myself in the enviable position of directing a marvelous play based on the life of one of my favorite artists, J.C. Leyendecker," said Mark Pirolo, director of the production. "The playwright, Lance Ringel, has done a remarkable job providing us with an intimate and compelling glimpse into the world of Joe Leyendecker, Charles Beach, Joe's siblings and the various famous folk they meet and interact with. The talented cast and I must now rise to the challenge of bringing to life a story that spans almost 50 years in the life of this brilliant and all but forgotten artist." Leyendecker's immense popularity came primarily from his 322 covers for the Saturday Evening Post, as well as for the use of his art in advertising - most notably the Arrow Collar Man, with Beach as the original model. This play explores the challenge of balancing love, art and commerce at a time when homosexuality was a crime, and how Leyendecker achieved an unlikely triumph on all fronts. Arrow Collar Man also chronicles Leyendecker's relationships with two fellow artists: his talented but self-destructive brother Frank; and Norman Rockwell, the calculating protégé who would eventually surpass him in fame.The cast of the Southern premiere of In Love with the Arrow Collar Man includes:
Director Mark Pirolo has been active in theater for almost forty years as a designer, director, playwright, and actor. Pirolo served on the design and production faculty at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts for 32 years and spent two seasons as Executive Director of The Little Theatre. He has directed many productions there, including Evita, Look Homeward Angel, The Glass Menagerie, and Man Of La Mancha.
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