O’Neill Schedule July 18 through 25

Waterford, CT, July 13, 2002 — Script-in-hand performances of new plays by Sherry M. Shephard-Massat, Madeleine George, Peter Morris and William di Canzio take in historical moments of the past century in locales ranging from a southern farm in the early 1900s to Burma, India during the last years of British rule to present-day New York City this week at the 2002 O’Neill Playwrights Conference, a month-long assembly of 19 playwrights and hundreds of professional theater artists, trustees, and teachers as well as audience members who wish to advance new work for the stage. The O’Neill Theater Center will hold staged readings of 15 new works through July 28, as well as a variety of free guest speakers during the All-Conferece Series. The speaker schedule is subject to change, for more information, please call (860) 443-1238.

Next week’s performances are:

LEVEE JAMES by Sherry M. Shephard-Massat, directed by Israel Hicks
July 18 & 19 at 8:00 p.m., Edith Oliver Theater

An early twentieth-century southern love story depicting the relationship that develops between a prosperous black farmer, Wesley Slaton, and his late wife’s sister, Lily, during a turbulent time in American history. Featuring actors Rosalyn Coleman and Tony Todd (a graduate of the O’Neill National Theater Institute).

THE ZERO HOUR by Madeleine George, directed by Julie Boyd
July 19 at 8:00 p.m. & July 20 at 2:30 p.m., Rufus and Margo Rose Theater Barn

O and Rebecca want love to be all they need, but the fact that Rebecca has not yet come out to her mother is threatening their happiness. Meanwhile, Rebecca’s classroom teachings of the Holocaust are seeping into her evening subway rides, in this tour-de-force with two actresses playing all the roles. Featuring actors Maria Teresa Creasey and Jenna Stern.

PRO BONO PUBLICO by Peter Morris, directed by Ethan McSweeny
July 20 at 8:00 p.m. & July 21 at 2:30 p.m., Dina Merrill Theater

Springtime in Manhattan, 2001: Uptown, a corporate lawyer is discovering his conscience. Downtown, his wife’s art gallery serves up chic nihilism for the wealthy and well-heeled. As their worlds fall apart, this dark fable asks: what does it mean to act for the public good? Featuring actors Joanna Adler, Helen Carey, Sabrina Le Beauf, David Margulies, Chris McCann, Keith Nobbs and Dallas Roberts.

HINDUSTAN by William di Canzio, directed by Michael Bloom
July 23 & 24 at 8:00 p.m., Amphitheater

In 1947, just before the Independence, Edwina Mountbatten, the last British vicereine of India, began a love affair with Nehru, about to become the first Prime Minister of the free nation. HINDUSTAN brings this story to life. Featuring actors Angel Desai, Wayman Ezell, Sean Krishnan and Grace Zandarski.

Continuing the O’Neill’s free speaker series, playwright Horton Foote (THE CARPETBAGGER'S CHILDREN) will speak on Saturday, July 20 and wood sculptor Roger Foster will talk about his work on Wednesday, July 24. The series takes place from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. in the Dina Merrill Theater and is open to the public.

OPC 2002 public readings take place Tuesday through Sunday. Ticket prices are $10 & $12, $8 weekdays for O’Neill members. To reserve tickets or receive a summer schedule, call the O’Neill Center box office at (860) 443-1238.

The Eugene O’Neill Theater Center, founded in 1964 and based in Waterford CT, is dedicated to the advancement of new work for the theater and creates and operates programs which complement that goal. These include the Puppetry Conference, Playwrights Conference, Critics Institute, Music Theater Conference and the National Theater Institute, a college-accredited training program for theater artists. The O’Neill also owns and operates the Monte Cristo Cottage.

Performances in the Amphitheater and the Edith Oliver Theater are outdoors, but will be moved indoors in the event of rain. Performance schedule is subject to change. Please call to confirm dates and times.