The Williamstown Theatre Festival's production of Coward's Tonight at 8:30, starring Blythe Danner and Stephen Collins, and directed by Michael Grief, will end its run on July 1. The show started June 16 (at 8 PM, actually) and costars Alix Korey (Off Broadway's The Wild Party) and Jack Gilpin.
Williamstown presents six of the original ten one-acts which made up Coward's play. The one-acts are be divided into two programs, which are performed in repertory by different casts.
A monstrously complicated undertaking, Michael Greif (Rent) directs Program A, while Ann Reinking pilots Program B. Danner and Collins are featured in the Program A only, which includes Hands Across the Sea -- about a family of rude Brits who, after inviting some party guests from the U.S., forget who they are and neglect them completely -- as well as We Were Dancing and Family Album. Program B features d'Amboise and Irwin in Star Chamber, Shadow Play and Red Peppers, the last about a husband and wife vaudeville team who comically argue backstage between their worn-out routines.
The credits for the two Tonight at 8:30 evenings run as follows:
Program A Directed by Michael Greif
Family Album
Jasper Featherways: Stephen Collins
Jane Featherways: Blythe Danner
Lavinia Featherways: Alix Korey
Richard Featherways: Julian Gamble
Harriet Winter: Jennifer Harmon
Charles Winter: Jack Gilpin
Emily Valance: Jessica Stone
Edward Valance: Saxon Palmer
Burrows: Denis Holmes
Singer: David Turner
We Were Dancing
Louise Charteris: Blythe Danner
Hubert Charteris: Jack Gilpin
Karl Sandys: Stephen Collins
Clara Bethel: Alix Korey
George Davies: Saxon Palmer
Eva Blake: Jessica Stone
Major Blake: Denis Holmes
Ippaga: Robert Wu
Hands Across the Sea
Lady Maureen Gilpin: Blythe Danner
Com. Peter Gilpin: Stephen Collins
Lieut. Com. Alastair Corbett: Jack Gilpin
Mrs. Wadhurst: Jennifer Harmon
Mr. Wadhurst: Julian Gamble
Mr. Burnham: David Turner
The Hon. Clare Wedderburn: Alix Korey
Major Gosling (Bogey): Saxon Palmer
Walters: Jessica Stone
Program B
Directed and Choreographed by Ann Reinking
Red Peppers
George Pepper: Bill Irwin
Lily Pepper: Charlotte d'Amboise
Bert Bentley: Rick Holmes
Mr. Edwards: Terrence Mann
Mabel Grace: Joan Copeland
Alf: Christopher Fitzgerald
Shadow Play
Victoria Gayforth: Charlotte d'Amboise
Simon Gayforth: Bill Irwin
Martha Cunningham: Deborah Rush
George Cunningham: Terrence Mann
Lena: Elisabeth Waterston
Sibyl Heston: Rachael Warren
Michael Doyle: Rick Holmes
A Young Man: Logan Marshall-Greene
Star Chamber
Xenia James: Deborah Rush
Johnny Bolton: Bill Irwin
Hester More: Barbara Sims
Julian Breed: Rick Holmes
Dame Rose Maitland: Joan Copeland
Violet Vibart: Cheryl Lynn Bowers
Maurice Searle: Christopher Fitzgerald
Elise Brodie: Kathleen McCafferty
J.M. Farmer: Terrence Mann
Jimmie Horlick: Jimmi Simpson
Program B runs through July 2.
-- By Robert Simonson