Lucille Lortel's White Barn Theatre wraps its 2000-2001 summer season with Leslie Caron starring in a one-woman reading as the French author, Colette. Famous for her title role in the 1958 Academy Award- winning Best Picture, "Gigi," which was also written by Colette, Caron will perform three evening shows of Colette, Sept. 1-3 at 8 PM.
Colette features the fascinating and provocative French novelist's life told in her own words. "She'll be reading from Colette's book, 'Earthly Paradise,' " a theatre source told Playbill On-Line, "which covers her life from youth to old age." Born Sidonie Gabrielle Colette in 1873, the French author wrote right up to her death in 1954.
With its current season, White Barn celebrates 53 years of theatre in Westport, Connecticut. The White Barn was founded in 1947 by the late Lucille Lortel, who served as founder-artistic director from 1947 1999.
As reported earlier, the 2000-01 season at the White Barn Theatre has already featured these performances:
• July 14-16: The Abbott Touch, a tribute to the late legendary Broadway genius, George Abbott. • July 21-23: William Bolcom and Joan Morris starred in an evening of cabaret songs, featuring music by William Bolcom and lyrics by librettist, poet and playwright Arnold Weinstein.
• July 28-30: A musical evening with Bea Arthur and Billy Goldenberg, who wrote some original songs for the show.
• Aug. 4-6: Natoma, America's first opera, written by Victor Herbert, in 1907, and first performed in 1911. Herbert is credited as the ring leader who led the formation of the songwriter society, ASCAP, in late 1913; in early 1914, Herbert wrote Natoma from a commission by Oscar Hammerstein.
• Aug. 11-13: Falling In Love Again with Salome Jens as Marlene Dietrich. Written by Sebastian Melitto, the show was directed by Michael Arabian with musical direction by Don Preston.
• Aug. 18-20: Readings from The Gospel According to St. Luke (King James version), adapted and directed by Stuart Vaughan with a cast of two women and two men.
• Aug. 25-27 at 8 PM: Sadie Thompson, featuring a concert performance of Vernon Duke and Howard Dietz's musicalization of Somerset Maugham's story. Directed by June Havoc, star of the original cast and Donald Saddler.
Single tickets range from $27 - $30. The White Barn is located on the Newton Turnpike in Westport, CT. For subscriptions, single ticket reservations and/or information call (203) 227-3768.
-- By Murdoch McBride
