Look Homeward, Angel, Directed by Austin Pendleton, Begins NYC Run March 13

By Andrew Gans
13 Mar 2013

Austin Pendleton
Austin Pendleton
Photo by Joseph Marzullo/WENN

Mother of Invention, which is under the artistic direction of Gina Stahlnecker, presents Look Homeward, Angel — Ketti Frings' acclaimed 1957 play based on Thomas Wolfe's first and largely autobiographical novel — March 13-24 at the Abingdon Theatre Complex.

Directed by Austin Pendleton, the production will officially open March 16 at 8 PM.

The cast comprises Keegan McDonald, Adam Dodway, Mindy Luce, Gina Stahlnecker, Andrew Mayer, Ginger Grace, Pat Dwyer, Joe Ulam, Kathleen Peirce, Maggie DeVora, Joseph Stillman, Kristin Patton, Mike Wikes, Debra Lass and Michael Enberg.

Look Homeward, Angel, according to press notes, "tells the emotional story of Eugene Gant, whose overbearing mother forces her alcoholic husband and three children into helping her run 'Dixieland' a seedy North Carolina boardinghouse, nearly crushing his dream to go to college and become a writer."

Look Homeward, Angel opened on Nov. 28, 1957, at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. It ran for 564 performances, winning the 1957 Pulitzer Prize and the Drama Critic's Circle Award for Best Play; it was also Tony-nominated for Best Play, Best Actor in a Drama (Hugh Griffith and Tony Perkins), Best Actress in a Drama (Jo van Fleet), Best Set Design (Jo Mielziner) and Best Director (George Roy Hill).

The production also features sound design by Jason Jung, lighting design by Alicia Manglesdorf and costume design by Michael Piatkowski. Jason Jung is the stage manager.

Tickets are $18 and can be purchased through SmartTix at smarttix.com, by calling (212) 868-4444 or at the box office prior to each performance. Abingdon Theatre Complex is located at 312 West 36th St.