By Adam Hetrick
15 May 2008

Olympia Dukakis and Kevin Anderson
photo by T. Charles Erickson

Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis and Tony nominee Kevin Anderson co-star in Tennessee Williams' The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore, which begins performances at Hartford Stage May 15.

Under the direction of Hartford Stage artistic director Michael Wilson, Anderson portrays Christopher Flanders opposite Dukakis as Flora Goforth. The production continues through June 15.

The duo are joined onstage by Dividing the Estate's Maggie Lacey (Blackie) as well as Judith Anna Roberts (The Witch of Capri), Curtis Billings (Guilio) and newcomer Amanda Tudor (Simonetta).

Set on the southern coast of Italy, The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore centers on the "elderly Mrs. Goforth (Dukakis), [who] frantically tries to complete her memoirs before her illness overtakes her," according to press notes. "As she recounts the details of her rich and flamboyant life, a wandering artist, Christopher Flanders (Anderson), mysteriously arrives onto the terrace of her Italian villa. Does he offer one last chance for love and salvation, or is he the Angel of Death."

Anderson recently concluded performances in the Broadway revival of William Inge's Come Back Little Sheba. He has also appeared on Broadway in Williams' Orpheus Descending as well as Death of a Salesman and the musical Brooklyn. Anderson, who created the role of Joe Gillis in the London production of Sunset Boulevard opposite Patti LuPone, is known for his work in the films "Sleeping With the Enemy," "Risky Business," "Hoffa" and "Rising Sun."

Dukakis — who played in Hartford Stage's Rose in 2005 — appeared in the Broadway run of that show. She has also appeared onstage in A Mother, Mother Courage, The Rose Tattoo, The Cherry Orchard, Three Sisters, The Seagull, Long Day's Journey Into Night, Iphegenia in Aulis, Othello, Miss Julie, A Streetcar Named Desire and The Night of the Iguana. She garnered her Oscar for her turn in the film "Moonstruck" and has also been seen in "Steel Magnolias," "Mr. Holland's Opus" and the "Look Who's Talking" series.

Hartford Stage is located at 50 Church Street in downtown Hartford, CT. Tickets for current shows are available by calling (860) 527-5151. For more information visit www.hartfordstage.org.