Download (Night of the Ig−Release ACT)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tennessee Williams’ The Night of the Iguana
Opens August 4.
Pulitzer Prize winning author examines conflicts of the flesh and the spirit
Seattle, WA July 12, 2005, – ACT Theatre presents Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Tennessee
Williams’ The Night of the Iguana, one of the most searing and provocative plays in American literature.
With hot and steamy Mexico as a backdrop, Williams probes the turbulent emotional and sexual forces
at play in human relationships, in contrast to a man’s deeply personal spiritual needs.
Jon Jory directs this passionate masterpiece, with Seattle favorite John Procaccino in the pivotal role of
Lawrence Shannon, a defrocked clergyman working as a tour guide in Mexico. The cast also includes
Suzanne Bouchard, Patricia Hodges and Clayton Corzatte. The first of 30 performances opens on
August 4 and runs through August 28. Previews begin July 29.
Kurt Beattie, artistic director of ACT, said, “This is a powerful play on a grand scale, where emotions
run high and the audience viscerally feels the intensity of the characters. Every word spoken is
meaningful.”
The set recreates a run-down Mexican hilltop hotel, complete with overgrown trees and tropical vines,
and reflects the unbalanced tone of life on the edge. Beattie added, “With Jon directing, we’ll face
Tennessee Williams’ vision head on with the dignity and clarity that his poignant pen intended. The
audience will rediscover, and in some cases be introduced to, one of the greatest playwrights of our
time.”
“Williams always deals with the big questions in a stunningly theatrical way that challenges the director
and actors and is a generous gift to the audience. These are challenges I can't wait to confront! It is -with no ifs, ands, or buts -- a great play,” said director Jon Jory, whose past ACT productions include
Good Boys and Omnium-Gatherum.
About the original play
The Night of the Iguana originally opened on Broadway in 1961, with Bette Davis, Patrick O’Neal and
Margaret Leighton in the principal roles. It ran 316 performances and received the 1962 Tony Award for
Best Play, as well as Best Actress honors for Leighton and a fourth New York Drama Critics Award for
Williams. Director John Huston turned it into a film three years later, with a blockbuster cast including
Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, Deborah Kerr, and Sue Lyon.
Plot Summary
A defrocked Episcopalian minister, a lusty widowed hotel owner, and an honest but penniless painter
become united by chance circumstances for a stormy night at a dilapidated Mexican hotel. Torn between
sexual desire and guilt, tempted by the nymphet Charlotte, lusted after by Maxine, and denied and
inspired by the chaste Hannah, Shannon must grapple with and confront his darkest personal demons as
he pursues the essential human need for forgiveness and redemption.
Jon Jory, Director
Seattle director Jon Jory returns to ACT Theatre following last year’s triumph of Good Boys and 2003’s
production of Omnium-Gatherum. Mr. Jory, the son of theatrical parents and currently professor of
acting and directing at the University of Washington, spent over 30 years as producing director at Actors
Theatre of Louisville, where he founded the Humana Festival of New American Plays in 1979. He was
also the founding artistic director of the Long Wharf Theatre in New Haven. Mr. Jory has directed
acclaimed productions at theatres throughout the country, including San Francisco’s American
Conservatory Theatre, the McCarter Theatre and the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He has also directed
internationally in nine different countries. His tremendous work in the arts has earned him numerous
awards including the National Theatre Conference Award, the ATA Distinguished Career Award and a
special Tony Award for Achievement in Regional Theatre. He has been inducted into New York City’s
Theatre Hall of Fame.
Tennessee Williams, Playwright
Born of the South, Tennessee Williams is arguably one of the most prolific of American playwrights.
His writings are considered both masterpieces and classics of contemporary theatre. Among his bestknown works are The Glass Menagerie, Summer and Smoke, and The Rose Tattoo. His most famous
plays, A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, both earned him Pulitzer Prizes. Williams
died in New York in 1983.
Cast
Suzanne Bouchard
Connell Brown, Jr.
Clayton Corzatte
Ben Gonio
Patricia Hodges
Laura Kenny
Eddie Levi Lee
Dennis Mosley
John Procaccino
Lada Vishtak
Hannah Jelkes
Hank
Jonathan Coffin (Nonno)
Pancho
Maxine Faulk
Judith Fellowes
Jake Latta
Pedro
Rev. T. Lawrence Shannon
Charlotte Goodall
Production
Tennessee Williams Playwright
Jon Jory
Director
Paul Owen
Set Designer
Marcia Dixcy Jory
Costume Designer
Michael Wellborn
Lighting Designer
Dominic CodyKramers Sound Designer
The Night of the Iguana is sponsored by the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs.
2
Previews Begin Friday, July 29
Play Opens Thursday, August 4
Show Times:
Mon. (Dark)
Tues. 7:30 pm
Weds. 7:30 pm
Thurs. 7:30 pm
Fri. 8 pm
Sat. 8 pm
Sun. 7:30 pm
Matinees (All Matinee Times 2 pm):
Thurs. – June 11
Sat. – August 6 and 20
Sun. – August 7, 14,21,28
ACT Ticket Information: The Night of the Iguana Tickets: $10 to $54
Subscription tickets for the 2005 season are available online at www.acttheatre.org, or by calling the ticket office at (206)
292-7676, or by visiting ACT Theatre at 700 Union Street. ACT Theatre’s ticket office is open daily from 12:00 noon until
7:00 p.m. Subscription packages range in price from $113 to $250. Single ticket prices for all 2005 mainstage productions
range from $10 - $54. Many discounts are available including seniors, under 25, students and day of show rush. Call or go
online for details.
Photos available at www.acttheatre.org
Schedule and prices subject to change.
The upcoming 2005 season
The Night of the Iguana
By Tennessee Williams
August 4 - 28
Previews July 29 - August 3
Directed by Jon Jory
A winner of the New York Drama Critics’ Award, Williams’ play is a great portrait of the impossible
yearnings of human beings. Searing, lyrical and full of compassion, The Night of the Iguana explores
passion and isolation.
Vincent in Brixton
By Nicholas Wright
September 8 - October 2
Previews September 2 - 7
Directed by Kurt Beattie
Nicholas Wright won London’s Olivier Award for “Best New Play” for his 2003 production. Through a
compassionate and compelling portrait of a very young Van Gogh, long before his brilliance is
recognized, Wright examines the transforming effect of love, sex and artistic adventure on an unformed
talent, while tracing the birth of genius.
Flight
By Charlayne Woodard
3
October 20 - November 13
Previews October 14 - 19
Directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton
Flight, by Seattle favorite Charlayne Woodard, is an elegant, triumphant and graceful play featuring six
actors that uses African-American folk tales, music, and dance to celebrate the importance of
community and cultural heritage to the human experience.
November 27 – December 24
The Perennial Holiday Favorite!
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens, adapted by Gregory Falls
The Dickens classic retells the story of Scrooge, the magical parable of the true spirit of Christmas,
familiar and beloved by audiences everywhere.
ACT also offers a wide variety of special programs and events - such as pre and post- play discussions, Happy Hour, ACT’s
Beer Tasting Club and ACT-Out Nights - designed to add value to the theatre-going experience.
Continental Airlines is the Official Airline of ACT Theatre. ACT Theatre gratefully acknowledges the following for their generous support:
The Boeing Company, Getty Images, ArtsFund; Seattle Mayor’s Office of Arts & Cultural Affairs, PONCHO, 4Culture King
County Lodging Tax, Washington State Arts Commission, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Nesholm Family Foundation,
The Shubert Foundation, Inc. and Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
###
4