Mint Theater's Rutherford & Son Opens Off-Broadway Feb. 27

By Adam Hetrick
27 Feb 2012

Sara Surrey and Allison McLemore
Sara Surrey and Allison McLemore
Photo by Richard Termine

The Mint Theater Company revival of Githa Sowerby's Rutherford & Son, which reunites members of the original 2001 cast, officially opens Off-Broadway Feb. 27.

The Mint's first production of Rutherford & Son began just days before the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001. Mint artistic director Jonathan Bank said the recent 10th anniversary of 9/11 made him reconsider Rutherford & Son, which was well-received by critics, but was overshadowed by the events of the time.

The original cast returned for the current staging that began previews Feb. 4. It will play an extended run through April 8 under the direction of Richard Corley.

The cast includes Robert Hogan (Blood and Gifts) as Rutherford, Dale Soules, David Van Pelt, Eli James (Temporal Powers), Allison Mclemore (The Madras House), James Patrick Nelson (Three Sisters), Sandra Shipley (Importance of Being Earnest, Blithe Spirit) and Sara Surrey (Lost In Yonkers).

Here's how the Mint bills the play: "Rutherford & Son, set in the industrial north of England, tells the story of a father determined to do whatever it takes to ensure the success and succession of the family glassworks, started by his own father, but now in danger of shattering. John Rutherford rules home and business with an iron fist, a tyrant who inspires fear in his workers and hatred in his grown children. Now rebellion is brewing. His eldest son, working in secret has discovered a process that could save the firm, cutting costs by one third—but he refuses to share it with his father unless he 'gets his price.'"

The production has set design by Vicki R. Davis, costume design by Charlotte Palmer-Lane, lighting design by Nicole Pearce, and sound design by Ellen Mandel and Jane Shaw.

The Mint previously announced that it would stage the first-ever revival of Martha Gellhorn and Virginia Cowles' WW II comedy Love Goes to Press, beginning May 26.

For tickets and further information phone (212) 315-0231 or visit MintTheater.