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NOW PLAYING "ORSON'S
SHADOW"
Theater for the New City presents an Axial Theatre, Oberon Theatre Ensemble, and Strindberg Rep production, in association with Fortify.space and Michael Howard Studios. Additionally produced by Amanda Quinn Olivar and Mark Karafin. THEATER
FOR THE NEW CITY To share a hit show of its Spring season ( March 14 to 31, 2024) with the largest possible audience, Theater for the New City is presenting this remounting of the August Strindberg Rep production of "Orson's Shadow."
"Orson's Shadow," based on true events, takes place on the stage of the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin and later on the stage of the Royal Court Theatre. Orson Welles is directing a production of Eugène Ionesco's "Rhinoceros," starring Laurence Olivier and Joan Plowright. Olivier is fresh from his triumphant theatrical portrayal of vaudevillian Archie Rice in John Osborne's "The Entertainer" and is about to reprise the role in its film adaptation. He and Plowright are in the early stages of a romantic liaison. His turbulent marriage to Vivien Leigh is all but ended. The noted critic Kenneth Tynan becomes entangled in the conflicts between Welles, Olivier, and Leigh, adding tension and complexity to their relationships and influencing their decisions and perceptions. The play reveals internal struggles that theatrical performers endure when contemplating a leap to film. It also studies theatrical egos, each of the protagonists living more on the stage than in real life, each one insecure while jockeying for power.
"Orson's Shadow is a fantastic revival about artistic revival.... Now, in a new production marking Orson's 25th anniversary, Pendleton himself takes the director's chair, with superlative results." -- John R. Ziegler and Leah Richards, Thinking Theater NYC "proof, if any is needed, that Austin Pendleton is a gifted playwright and story teller…. we get an evening of theater at its best…. a stand-out cast….scintillates with realistic, comic and dramatic dialogue." -- David Solloway, Encore Theater Reviews "Austin has taken over the directing reins this time and it’s a wonderful, snappy, eaves dropping couple of hours.... Each actor wholly embodies the essence of their roles.... Austin’s dialogue...is any actor’s dream...Orson’s Shadow delivers.'' -- David Walters, Front Row Center "Pendleton,
who’s now 82, can enjoy the thrill of having helmed a beautifully
cast production." Hal Glatzer, Woman
Around Town
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