John Turturro and his wife, Katherine Borowitz won't be starring together in American Conservatory Theatre's mounting of Harold Pinter's Old Times, as originally announced, because they've been "Canned."
No, director Carey Perloff didn't fire them; Turturro recently directed a film (Illuminati) starring Borowitz, and the movie will premiere at the Cannes film festival in late May. Also, Turturro is contractually committed to star in a new Tim Robbins film, which was supposed to have gone before the cameras in early spring but will now start rolling in June.
Replacing Turturro and Borowitz in the San Francisco Old Times will be Graham Beckel (Texas Trilogy on Broadway) and Pamela Reed (HBO's "Tanner `88"). Reed also won an Obie for starring Perloff's mounting of Elektra at NY's Classic Stage Company.
Opening June 17, Pinter's comedy/drama centers on a married couple visited by an alluring woman, who may be a ghost. Further details about the A.C.T. mounting have yet to be announced.
In other news, A.C.T. has announced it 1998-99 season. Tom Stoppard's drama of ill-fated love, Indian Ink, a 1995 hit in London, will have its North American premiere next season at the theatre. The drama, which opens Feb. 24, 1999, will be directed by Carey Perloff and will mark the return to ACT of Jean Stapleton in the supporting role of the poet-heroine's sister (played by Margaret Tyzack in London). The role of the poet, played by Felicity Kendal in London, will be played at ACT by Wendy Makkena in her company debut.
First up on the theatre's subscription series is Fool Moon, with contemporary clowns Bill Irwin and David Shiner reprising their Broadway roles. Fool Moon opens Sept. 9.
Other plays in the A.C.T. season lineup include:
Juno and the Paycock, directed by Giles Havergal and featuring Charles Dean and Geoff Hoyle (who were seen in Havergal's staging at the theatre last season of Travels with My Aunt).
Hecuba, an encore of the 1995 ACT hit production of the Euripides tragedy, starring Olympia Dukakis. (This will come on the heels of performances of the play in summer 1998 at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and the Athens Festival in Greece.)
Long Day's Journey into Night, starring Marco Barricelli and Kathleen Widdoes (who starred in last season's Rose Tattoo).
e, directed by Charles Randolph-Wright (ACT's Insurrection: Holding History) and featuring Steven Anthony Jones and Shona Tucker.
In addition, there will be a holiday revival of A Christmas Carol.
For more information on San Francisco's A Contemporary Theatre call (415) 749-2228.
-- By David Lefkowitz
