Works by Gurney, Blessing, Margulies & Howe On Tap at Primary Stages
Opening the 2008-2009 season is Gurney's Buffalo Gal, directed by Mark Lamos, who collaborated with Gurney on Primary Stages' acclaimed production of Indian Blood. Buffalo Gal is described a comedy that centers around Amanda, a once successful television personality whose star is now fading. Life imitates art as she returns to her hometown of Buffalo to star in Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard. Just as she is connecting with her roots—both on stage and off—she is called back to Hollywood for a role that could recharge her career. Will the love of theater be enough to keep her in Buffalo? Performances begin July 22 and continue through August 30; no casting as been announced.
Blessing's A Body of Water will be directed by Maria Mileaf, who collaborated with him on Primary Stages' award-winning production of Going to St. Ives. This New York premiere tells the story of Avis and Moss, who awake one morning in a house set in the forested hills above a picturesque body of water. The weather's great, the view's magnificent. However, neither of them seems to know whose house this is or who they are. Will a stranger at their doorstep be able to help? Performance dates are September 16 through October 25.
Pulitzer Prize winner Margulies will begin the second half of the season with Shipwrecked! An Entertainment—The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont As Told By Himself. In this 19th century tale of adventure, Louis de Rougemont invites you to hear his amazing story of bravery, survival and celebrity. Shipwrecked! examines how far we're willing to blur the line between fact and fiction in order to leave our mark on the world. Performances begin January 27, 2009, through March 7, 2009; no director has been announced.
The world premiere of Howe's new comedy Chasing Manet, starring Tony winner Jane Alexander, rounds out the season. A rebellious painter from a distinguished family in Boston and an ebullient Jewish woman with a huge adoring family form an unlikely bond inside the confining walls of Mount Airy Nursing Home. The two plot an escape to Paris aboard the QE2, but can they pull it off amid the chaos of their surroundings? Performances are scheduled to begin March 25, 2009, continuing through May 2, 2009; no director or co-star has been announced.