Ed Harris Begins as First Trumbo in Starry Rotating Cast in NYC, March 31

By Ernio Hernandez
28 Mar 2003

Ed Harris
Ed Harris
Photo by Blanche Mackey

Recent Oscar nominee Ed Harris ("The Hours") stars in a new work by Christopher Trumbo called Trumbo. The production, which will perform on Monday evenings only, begins March 31 at the Westside Theatre.

Richard Dreyfuss, Tim Robbins, Chris Cooper and Alec Baldwin are the lineup of stars also scheduled to play the title role. Gordon MacDonald will play opposite Harris as Trumbo's son.

Culled from the letters of legendary blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo — the playwright's father — Trumbo tells the story of one of the "Hollywood Ten" who went before the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Peter Askin (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Sexaholix... a love story) directs the work presented by Claudia Catania and the Westside Theatre with the help of People For the American Way.

The stagework's focus, Trumbo, wrote such screenplays as "The Brave One," "Exodus," "Spartacus," "Roman Holiday," and "Papillon" as well as the novel "Johnny Got His Gun." After refusing to answer questions about his political affiliations, Trumbo was fired from MGM and imprisoned for a year.

The aforementioned actors will take on the title role for one performance each. Predominantly known for their film work, they are scheduled as follows: Harris (Precious Sons, Taking Sides, "A Beautiful Mind," "Pollack") - March 31, Dreyfuss (Death and the Maiden, The Exonerated "Mr. Holland's Opus") - April 7, Robbins (The Exonerated, The Guys "Bull Durham," "The Shawshank Redemption") - April 14, Cooper (Of the Fields, Lately "Adaptation," "American Beauty") - April 21 and Baldwin (A Streetcar Named Desire, Prelude to a Kiss) - April 28. Future actors will be announced soon.

For tickets to Trumbo at the Westside Theatre, 407 W. 43rd Street, call Telecharge at (212) 239-6200 or visit www.telecharge.com.