|
 |
Bryne, Carey, Goetz, Birk, Wingert Explore When We Are Married Beginning July 4 at the Guthrie
By Andrew Gans
04 Jul 2009
 |
|
Sally Wingert
|
The Guthrie's production of J.B. Priestley's When We Are Married begins previews July 4 at the Minnesota venue.
Directed by John Miller-Stephany, the production will officially open July 10 and play through Aug. 30.
The cast comprises three generations of Guthrie actors, including Barbara Bryne, Helen Carey, Patricia Conolly, Peter Michael Goetz, Linda Kelsey, Robert O. Berdahl, Raye Birk, Maggie Chestovich, Dennis Creghan, Bob Davis, Colin McPhillamy, Sally Wingert, Jonas Goslow and Christine Weber.
"Set in a small city in Yorkshire, England, on a September evening in 1908," press notes read, "the farcical comedy takes place in the sitting-room of the Helliwells' house, as Alderman Joseph Helliwell (Creagan) and his wife Maria (Carey) gather with old friends – Councillor Albert and Annie Parker (Birk and Kelsey) and Herbert and Clara Soppitt (Goetz and Conolly). The group, tended to by a cheeky servant Ruby (Chestovich), are there to celebrate the three couples' silver wedding anniversaries. Before the celebration gets into full swing, Gerald Forbes (Goslow), the chapel organist and choir master, is called to the house to account for his improper courting of the Helliwells' niece Nancy (Weber).
"Chastised by the men, Gerald dismisses the claims as nothing but gossip and the 'twaddle of old women.' It isn't until the three patriarchs threaten him that Forbes plays his trump card: a letter proving that the three couples were never really married 25 years ago. This revelation is a devastating blow to the uptight Edwardian gentlemen, whose impulse to hide the truth from their wives is spoiled by the eavesdropping servant Mrs. Northrop (Bryne).
"The situation becomes even more harried as unwanted visitors arrive at the house – including a newspaper reporter (Berdahl), a drunken photographer (McPhillamy) and a well-meaning but confused clergyman (Davis). The three couple's trials are further compounded by the fact that this sudden freedom has caused some to doubt whether they want to be married at all. In an inspired comic twist, a mysterious woman from the 'other side of the tracks' (Wingert) arrives, claiming one of the husbands' affections."
The artistic staff also includes Frank Hallinan Flood (set designer), Mathew J. LeFebvre (costume designer), Marcus Dilliard (lighting designer), Scott W. Edwards (sound designer), Carla Steen (dramaturg), Gillian Lane-Plescia (voice and dialect coach), Marcela Lorca (movement), Andrew Cooke (music consultant), Chris A. Code (stage manager), Jason Clusman (assistant stage manager) and Ian Belknap (assistant director).
The Guthrie is located at 818 South 2nd Street (at Chicago Avenue), in downtown Minneapolis. To purchase tickets call (612) 377-2224 or visit www.guthrietheater.org.
Contact Us | Advertise | Privacy Policy
Send questions and comments to the Webmaster
Copyright © 2009 Playbill, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
|
|
|
|
|