Alley artistic director Gregory Boyd directs the work set to begin Jan. 14 at the Texas company's Hubbard Stage and open Jan. 19 for a run through Feb. 6.
Believed to be Miller's most autobiographical work, After the Fall follows the inner struggle of a lawyer in his 40s who journeys into his past to answer his existential issues. In his soul-searching quest, he revisits the death of his mother and a line of failed relationships.
James Black will star in the lead role of lawyer Quentin, historically viewed as a stand in for the playwright. Josie de Guzman (Guys and Dolls, West Side Story) plays his first wife Louise and Hart (The Scarlet Pimpernel, Candide) portrays his mother while former Miss America Shindle (Cabaret, Jekyll & Hyde) tackles the role of Maggie, a famous singer in his past who is troubled by an addiction to sleeping pills and alcohol — believed by many to mirror the author's late wife, Marilyn Monroe.
The Alley Theatre production also feature Elizabeth Heflin, John Tyson, Jeffrey Bean, James Belcher, Robin Terry, Philip Lehl, Shelley Calene-Black, Ann C. James, David Rainey and Todd Waite.
After the Fall is the first of two Miller works being presented at the Alley as part of a tribute to celebrate the scribe's 90th birthday in 2005. The other play, The Crucible, will follow Feb. 25-March 20. The play debuted on Broadway in 1964 with Jason Robards, Jr. in the lead role and Barbara Loden as the singer — a turn that won her the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress. Hal Holbrook and Faye Dunaway also appeared in the work staged by Miller's oft-collaborator Elia Kazan. Michael Mayer (Thoroughly Modern Millie, A View from the Bridge) directed a recent Broadway revival starring Peter Krause ("Six Feet Under") and Carla Gugino ("Spy Kids").
Miller is considered one of America’s greatest playwrights, having won acclaim (including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama) for his numerous works. Among them are The Man Who Had All the Luck, All My Sons, Death of a Salesman, The Crucible, A View from the Bridge, A Memory of Mondays, The Price, The Creation of the World and Other Business, The American Clock, The Ride Down Mt. Morgan, The Last Yankee, Broken Glass, Resurrection Blues and the recent Finishing the Picture.
The Alley has produced nine of Miller’s plays including Death of a Salesman (1954 and 1997), All My Sons (1955, 1984, and 2000), A View from the Bridge (1957, 1989 and 1999) and The Crucible (1959 and 1994).
The design team for After the Fall includes Kevin Rigdon (scenic), Andrea Lauer (costumes), Pat Collins (lighting) and Joe Pino (sound).
Tickets to After the Fall at the Alley, , 615 Texas Ave. in Houston, TX can be purchased by calling (713) 228-8421 or online at www.alleytheatre.org.
