In Box - The Atheist

The following note from Nicholas hit email boxes last night:

A SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM NICHOLAS MARTIN

It's the most exciting moment in theatre. A world-class actor inhabiting a juicy role from a fresh new writer. Like catching lightning in a bottle, it takes a very special convergence of circumstances to light a stage so brightly.

Next month, the Huntington offers one such fleeting opportunity - for TWO WEEKS ONLY. Stage and screen star Campbell Scott will appear in The Atheist, by Boston phenom Ronan Noone. Of all the work I've presented during my years here, this event excites me the most.

Campbell will bring his trademark humor and warmth (inherited from his mom, Colleen Dewhurst) and the bold attack and panache of his dad (George C. Scott) to Ronan's savagely comic tale of Augustine Early, an ambitious journalist who lets nothing stand between him and a good story.

Campbell is the consummate actor's actor and I am always on the lookout for the role that will bring him back to the stage. Immediately upon reading Ronan's script, I knew that Augustine was it. I was right.

I urge those of you who love the theatre, who love Campbell, or who simply want a memorable fall evening—outside of Fenway Park—to buy tickets today. Like a hot game at the ballpark, this is THE ticket to have.

Sincerely,





Nicholas

It's Official

We have announced our full slate of "Huntington Presents" productions. This brings the count up to a grand total of 12 productions, if we include our Breaking Ground Festival in the Spring. Remember when we just did five????

Subscribers are the obvious winners with first choice seating to even more Huntington 07-08 shows.

On the production front I've been lucky enough to take another vacation, and am now paying the price. The 39 Steps starts rehearsal tomorrow. I'll have more updates for you soon. Meanwhile here's some info about our upcoming programming at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA.

Screen and stage star Campbell Scott, stand-up comedienne/monologist Judy Gold, Boston actress and playwright Rebekah Maggor, and internationally acclaimed performance artist Ennio Marchetto comprise the Huntington Theatre Company’s 2007-2008 “Huntington Presents” series in the Stanford Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts.

“This series complements the Huntington’s regular season and allows us to bring a wider variety of voices and performances to Boston,” says Huntington Artistic Director Nicholas Martin. “‘Huntington Presents’ shows are perfectly suited to the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, where the connections between performers and audiences are especially intimate,” he says.

The 2007-2008 “Huntington Presents” line-up includes:

“THE ATHEIST”

By Ronan Noone

Directed by Justin Waldman

Starring Campbell Scott

Wimberly Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA

Sept, 12-30, 2007

Stage and screen star Campbell Scott (”The Secret Lives of Dentists,” “Roger Dodger,” and the Huntington’s 1996 production of “Hamlet”) plays an ethically challenged journalist in this limited-run engagement of Boston playwright Ronan Noone’s one-man show. “The Atheist” was presented first by Scott at the Huntington’s Breaking Ground Festival of new play readings in 2006, before its New York and London premieres.

“25 QUESTIONS FOR A JEWISH MOTHER”

By Kate Moira Ryan and Judy Gold

Directed by Karen Kohlhaas

Wimberly Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA

Dec. 18-31, 2007

An award-winning Comedy Central, HBO, and Logo network favorite, stand-up comic and monologist Judy Gold explores what it takes to be a Jewish mother in this hilarious, autobiographical Off Broadway hit that makes its Boston premiere at the Calderwood Pavilion. By mixing her personal experiences with those of women she and Ryan interviewed around the country, Gold weaves a funny and universal story about the ups and downs of motherhood. Click here to view a Judy Gold Video.

“SHAKESPEARE’S ACTRESSES IN AMERICA”

Created and performed by Rebekah Maggor

Wimberly Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA

Jan. 27 - Feb. 11, 2008

Boston playwright and actress Rebekah Maggor (a 2006 Huntington Playwriting Fellow) channels actresses both current and historic in a salute to the Bard’s best-known female characters and the women who brought them to life. This return engagement follows critically acclaimed runs in Cambridge and Wellfleet, Mass. last year.

“ENNIO!”

Starring Ennio Marchetto

Created by Ennio Marchetto and Sosthen Hennekam

Wimberly Theatre, Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA

May 13-June 1, 2008

Marilyn Monroe morphs into Marilyn Manson at lightning speed. Eminem's rapping becomes Gloria Gaynor’s wailing in the blink of an eye. A world of celebrity icons new and old unfolds as the original quick-change artist Ennio Marchetto turns origami into hilarious, family-friendly theatrical magic. This international sensation has not been seen in the Boston area since 1994! Click here to view an Ennio Video

Tickets for “The Atheist” are available now online (www.huntingtontheatre.org and www.bostontheatrescene.com), by phone (617 266-0800), or in person (at the Boston University Theatre Box Office at 264 Huntington Avenue and the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA Box Office at 527 Tremont Street). Phone and box office hours vary; call for schedule.

Judy Gold Photo: Courtesy Off Broadway Booking. Rebekah Maggor Photo: Andrew Brilliant. Ennio Photo: Courtesy Foster Entertainment.

39 Previews

I'm going to apologize right now for the lack of content over the last few weeks. I'm sorry - I do miss posting, but there have been more pressing priorities lately. I must also now tell you to expect exactly the same for the next few weeks.

I'm on vacation for the next ten days or so - and then it's going to take a week or so to catch up from relaxing. Unless I run into some Huntington glitterati on Provincetown's famous Commercial Street (entirely possible), or see something that I can't help but share, you won't be hearing from me for at least 15 days.

Meanwhile my staff, who have also been getting some much deserved R&R, will be working away on The 39 Steps. By the time I'm able to post again we should have some construction photos to show you. I can't believe rehearsals start in about FIVE WEEKS!

We've got prelim drawings for Brendan due any day now, as well as a design visit from Streamers director Scott Ellis and scenic designer Neil Patel with the set model.

Somewhere in there I'll chat with scenic designer Ralph Funicello (The Cherry Orchard) who will be designing our sets for Third. I'll be wrapping up details for Shining City which is coming to us from our friends at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago, directed by Robert Falls, with the New York physical production designed by Santo Loquasto, Kaye Voyce, Chris Akerlind and Obediah Eaves.

The Cry of the Reed and She Loves Me will have to wait for some of my time in August. Nicky is off to Williamstown very soon to direct The Corn is Green with Kate Burton so there is time yet.

Huntington Presents projects for next season, such The Atheist (with Campbell Scott) and a couple of others which I'm not quite sure I'm supposed to mention yet (ok, here goes - Judy Gold in her 25 Questions for a Jewish Mother - and the living cartoon lip syncing origami-ist Ennio Marchetto), will be the subject of a 10AM meeting on my first day back. "Huntington Presents" is our little nick name for the non subscriptions shows we put on in the Wimberly (such as Trumbo, Laughing Wild, Forbidden Broadway, and Kiki & Herb).

Oh - and we're doing some renovations in the BU Theatre Lobby, some HVAC work at the Pavilion, and I have a bunch of job searches open at the moment. I may shoot the next person who says "it must be nice and slow in the summer"!

That was FUN - as if I didn't know exactly what it is I'm running away from!

I do however, want to leave you with something a little more interesting than the scribbles in my daily planner. Here are some (very nice) design renderings of (just a few of) the costumes, designed and drawn by Peter McIntosh, for our upcoming production of The 39 Steps. Enjoy - and I'll be back soon!

Ennio

We've been passing this video around the office for the last week or so. It's definitely good for the winter blues.


Temple saw this performer, Ennio Marchetto, somewhere in her travels and she just had to share. For more info visit enniomarchetto.com

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