Ain Gordon's new play, Public Ghosts — Private Stories, makes its world premiere April 23 at New Jersey's George Street Playhouse.
Inspired by real-life stories of both the living and the dead, Gordon's play, which features co-direction from Michael Rohd and Eric Ruffin, is described as "a glorious cacophony of stories about our town" — referring to the town of New Brunswick, where the New Jersey-based Playhouse is located. The play combines stories told by New Brunswick residents with historical fiction and presents tales of murder, arson, a baby saved, a baby lost, the love between a free man and an enslaved woman and four generations of a family that are haunted by three silver spoons.
Public Ghosts runs through May 19 and stars Sue Barancik, Egan Paul Davson, Shawn Elliot, Helen Gallagher, Victor Love, Anne O’Sullivan, Wayne Peck, Socorro Santiago, Cherene Snow, Lamont Stephens, Mara Stephens, Maria Tola, Daniel B. Utset and Richard Waddingham. The creative team comprises R. Michael Miller (sets), Brenda King (costumes), Christopher J. Bailey (lighting) and Rudy Veltree (sound). Jason Berg provides original music.
Helen Gallagher, who stars as Mrs. Kovash, won Tony Awards for her performances in Pal Joey and No, No Nanette and was nominated for her role in Sweet Charity. Her other Broadway credits include Seven Lively Arts, High Button Shoes, Touch and Go, Make a Wish, Hazel Flagg and The Pajama Game. Gallagher has appeared at the George Street Playhouse in Wit and After-Play, and she spent 14 years on ABC's "Ryan's Hope," winning three Emmys for her work.
Playwright Ain Gordon, a recipient of the 1998 John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation Fellowship, is currently at work on a play commissioned by the Mark Taper Forum, which is entitled 93 Acres of Barley. He is also working on Show Biz Monologues, which will premiere at Performance Space 122 in January. His past works include Birdseed Bundles, which premiered at Dance Theatre Workshop in 2000; The Family Business, a collaboration with David Gordon; and The First Picture Show, which premiered in 1999. The George Street Playhouse is located on Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Tickets may be purchased by calling the theatre's box office at (732) 246-7717. For more information, go to www.georgestplayhouse.org.
—By Andrew Gans
