Austin Pendleton to Star in New Chamber Musical The Black Monk

Austin Pendleton has signed on to star in the world premiere of The Black Monk, described as a new chamber musical with book, lyrics and music by Wendy Kesselman. The show, to be produced by South Ark Stage and directed by Kevin Newbury, will begin performances on November 25 and open on December 4 at the Samuel Beckett Theater on Theater Row. The limited off-Broadway engagement is scheduled to continue through January 4, 2009.

Pendleton will play the title role in the four-person cast, joined by Scott Robertson, Elon Rutberg and Sarah Ziegler. Inspired by Anton Chekhov’s story of the same name, The Black Monk follows the life of a gifted young artist Andrei Rutberg. After five years in Moscow, Andrei returns home to his adopted father Igor Robertson and childhood love Tanya Ziegler. As his talent blossoms, will Andrei be able to hold on to love, family, and his sanity or will the power of the mysterious Black Monk drive him into the unknown?

Actor/writer/director Pendleton’s most recent appearances on the New York stage include Romeo and Juliet and Mother Courage in Central Park and the off-Broadway productions of The Sunset Limited and Another Vermeer. He directed MCC’s current off-Broadway production of Michael Weller’s Fifty Words and penned the play Orson’s Shadow, which was nominated for a Best Play Lortel Award. His musical theater credits range from the original cast of Fiddler on the Roof to Grand Hotel. Most recently, Pendleton has participated in concerts of theater music alongside Alice Playten, Judy Kaye and David Green for the Warren Ohio Philharmonic.

The creative team for The Black Monk includes Charlie Corcoran Set, Jessica Jahn Costumes, D.M. Wood Lights, Christopher Berg Music Director, Pianist, Arranger and Arthur Cook Cello.