Tina Benko Inhabits Iconic First Lady in Jackie, Beginning Feb. 24 Off-Broadway

By Adam Hetrick
24 Feb 2013

Tina Benko
Tina Benko

Tina Benko stars in the North American premiere of Austrian writer Elfriede Jelinek's solo play Jackie, about the iconic American First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, which begins performances Feb. 24 at New York City Center Stage II.

Presented by The Women's Project, Tea Alagic helms Gitta Honegger's adaptation of Jackie. Playwright Jelinek is a Pulitzer Prize winner for her novel "The Piano Teacher." The play is part of the satiric Princess Plays trilogy, which takes on such characters and historical figures as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Princess Diana.

Jackie will officially open March 5.

Benko stood by for Tovah Feldshuh in the Broadway production of Irena's Vow. She starred in the world premiere of Katori Hall's WHADDABLOODCLOT!!! at the Williamstown Theatre Festival last summer. Her credits also include The Little Foxes, Restoration, Marie and Bruce, Age of Iron and The False Servant.

According to the Women's Project, "Jackie, an intensely theatrical dissection of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and the myths surrounding her well-coiffed veneer, is a disturbing exploration of submission, power, and the hypocrisy of everyday life."

Jackie has set design by Marsha Ginsberg, costume design by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Brian H Scott and sound design by Jane Shaw.

For tickets visit NYCityCenter.org, or phone (212) 581-1212. New York City Center is located at 131 West 55th Street.

Visit womensproject.org.