Joseph Hardy stages the 90-minute, intermissionless work which will open at the Center Theatre Group's space at the Music Center Oct. 15 for a limited run through Nov. 19.
Inspired by memories of her maternal grandmother Beatrice Kempson, Redgrave weaves together stories passed down from her mother about "one of the lesser known members of the family" into a tale that is "part speculation and invention" of " "this rather chilly, not very lovable woman."
The actress — who starred in the recent CTG presentation of The Importance of Being Earnest at the Ahmanson Theatre — directed Caroline John in the lead role for the London premiere at New End Theatre earlier this year. Redgrave performed the work herself for L.A. audiences Feb. 27 as directed by Joseph Hardy.
The new work completes a trilogy of works penned by the stage star about her family: including her Tony Award-nominated Shakespeare For My Father which dealt with her father, the late Michael Redgrave, and The Mandrake Root which was loosely based on her mother, actress Rachel Kempson.
Last seen on Broadway in her Tony-nominated turn in The Constant Wife, Redgrave's other credits include Talking Heads, The Exonerated, Black Comedy, Aren't We All, Moon Over Buffalo and another Tony-nominated turn in Mrs. Warren's Profession. She was nominated for an Academy Award for the film "Gods and Monsters" and earned her second nod after her title role in "Georgy Girl." The design team for Nightingale features Tobin Ost (scenic), Candice Cain (costumes), Rui Rita (lighting) and Cricket S. Myers (sound). David S. Franklin serves as production stage manager and Michelle Blair is stage manager.
The new season at the Taper continues with the world premieres of Jason Robert Brown and Dan Elish's musical13 directed by Todd Graff ("Camp") (Dec. 22, 2006-Feb. 18, 2007), Distracted by Lisa Loomer (Living Out) (March 15 April 29, 2007) and the co-production (with New York's The Public Theater and the East West Players) of Yellow Face by David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) (May 10-July 1, 2007).
Tickets to Nightingale at the Taper, 135 North Grand Ave. in Los Angeles, CA, are available by calling (213) 628-2772. For more information, visit www.TaperAhmanson.com or redgrave.com.
