Gemini, Albert Innaurato's raucous comedy about an Italian family whose son returns from Harvard with new perspectives on life, heritage and sexuality, closed as scheduled on June 27.
A production spokesperson told Playbill On-Line (June 25) the producers were uncertain whether the show would extend its run or close and that decisions were being made on June 27. Reviews for the production were mixed.
First staged in workshop at Playwrights Horizons, Gemini opened on Broadway May 1977 and ran four years. Among the actors passing through: Danny Aiello, Sigourney Weaver and Kathleen Turner.
The Second Stage Theatre production, the first major New York revival since that run, started May 26, opened June 16, and featured Julie Boyd, Linda Hart, Michael Kendrick, Brian Mysliwy, Sarah Rafferty, Thomas Sadoski and Joseph Siravo.
In recent press interviews, playwright Innaurato made clear his disenchantment with the New York theatre scene. Gemini proved a huge audience hit but reviews were mixed, while his later, darker plays pushed him away from the commercial spotlight. He noted that his last new work, Dreading Thekla, premiered at the 1997 Williamstown Festival, and he couldn't get major producers to come and see it, let alone bring it to New York. Second Stage artistic director Carole Rothman said in a statement that her theatre's goal is about "re-envisioning works through new productions, taking a second look with a fresh perspective." To that end, the company recently revived Jason Miller's That Championship Season, inaugurating Second Stage's brand new, 296-seat space in midtown. The new venue, designed by Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas, occupies 17,000 square feet and includes a 27 x 55 foot stage, plus a curtain that pulls across windows looking out onto Times Square.
Directing Gemini was Mark Brokaw, whose string of recent successes includes As Bees in Honey Drown, 2.5 Minute Ride, The Dying Gaul and the Pulitzer-winning How I Learned To Drive. Designing Gemini are Riccardo Hernandez (set), Jess Goldstein (costumes) and Mark McCullough (lighting).
Other works by Innaurato include The Transformation of Benno Blimpie, Herself As Lust, Earthworms, Passione, Ulysses in Traction and Gus And Al.
After Gemini, will come the New York premiere of Cheryl L. West's Jar The Floor, directed by Marion McClinton (starting July 27). For tickets and information on Second Stage, call (212) 246-4422.
-- By Sean McGrath
and David Lefkowitz
