Adapted and directed by Staller, the cast includes Tony nominee Daniel Davis (Sir George Erskine), Wesley Taylor (Mr. Cyril Graham), Josh Grisetti (Basil) and Bill Kux (Shakespeare). David Cote hosts. The evening also features a musical interlude by Ed Dixon with musical director Brad Gardner at the piano.
Stepping away from Shaw for the first time, Project Shaw, according to press notes, presents an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s "notorious short story that offers a theory about whom Shakespeare might truly have written his infamous Sonnets about. In Wilde's hands, the inspiration for the world's most famous poems is a beautiful young actor in Shakespeare's company. In attempting to prove this theory, a pair of men face their most secret fears and even death.
"Shaw and Wilde were friends, often inspiring each other with their work. In Wilde’s most turbulent year, 1895 —the year of both The Importance of Being Ernest and his subsequent trial, Shaw helped finance Wilde’s legal defense, and later was one of the only journalists determined to keep Wilde’s name as a major artist in the press."
Upcoming Project Shaw events include Heartbreak House (May 12), Getting Married (June 23), A 'Super Shaw' Evening (July 28), Village Wooing (Sept. 29), An Ibsen Evening (Oct. 27), The Millionairess (Nov. 24) and Major Barbara (Dec. 22).
Now in its ninth year, Gingold Theatrical Group's Project Shaw made history in December 2009 as the first company ever to present performances of every one of Shaw's 65 plays (including full-length works, one-acts and sketches). Symphony Space’s Leonard Nimoy Thalia Theatre is located in Manhattan at 2537 Broadway (at 95th Street). Tickets, priced $30 (senior discounts and Student Rush available), may be purchased by calling (212) 352-3101 or online at symphonyspace.org.