Readings and WorkshopsBitObscura Readings to Feature Tedra Millan, Anne L. Nathan, Matt DoyleAustin Pendleton will direct the reading of Mary Butler’s new play about Ethel Merman's late daughter.
By
Andrew Gans
March 29, 2018
Private readings of Mary Butler's new play Bit Obscura, about Ethel Merman’s late daughter “Bit,” will be presented April 5–6 at Theatre 54.
Directed by Austin Pendleton, the cast will be headed by Tedra Millan as Bit and Anne L. Nathan as Ethel Merman. The ensemble includes Matt Doyle, Heidi Armbruster, Lucas Hall, Kacie Sheik, and Kristen Kittel.
Bit Obscura concerns Ethel Levitt Geary, whose struggle with mental illness was complicated by a father’s suicide and a mother’s denial. After years of psychiatric treatment, misdiagnoses, and excessive opiate prescriptions, young Ethel—also known as “Bit”—spends the summer locked in her apartment absorbing religious texts, philosophy, and the complete works of Shakespeare in search of the purpose of her existence. She later died of a drug overdose.
The production will include Bernstein’s incidental music for Lillian Hellman’s adaptation of The Lark, and Menotti’s The Unicorn, The Gorgon, and The Manticore.