Woody Allen's Second Hand Memory Begins Nov. 3, Directed by a Real Auteur — Himself

By Kenneth Jones
03 Nov 2004

Woody Allen, revered as an American filmmaker who chronicled human neuroses and urban relationships in "Annie Hall," "Manhattan" and "Husbands and Wives," returns to the stage as playwright-director of A Second Hand Memory, beginning Nov. 3 at Atlantic Theater Company in New York City.

Little is known about the plot and setting of the Off Broadway world premiere, except that it's set in Brooklyn in the 1950s. The cast includes Kate Blumberg (The Syringa Tree, Allen's Writer's Block), Dominic Chianese ("The Sopranos"), Beth Fowler (The Boy From Oz), Nicky Katt, Erica Leerhsen, Elizabeth Marvel (Hedda Gabler) and Michael McKean ("Laverne & Shirley," "This Is Spinal Tap," Hairspray).

Opening is set for Nov. 22 at Atlantic's home at 336 W. 20th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan.

Scenic design is by Santo Loquasto (a frequent production designer on Allen's films), lighting design is by Jim Ingalls, with costume design by Laura Bauer.

Allen's films also include "Love and Death," "Stardust Memories," "Crimes and Misdemeanors," "The Purple Rose of Cairo" and many more (about one a year since the 1970s). His plays include Don't Drink the Water (1966), Death Knocks (1968), Play It Again, Sam (1969), Death (1975), God (1975), The Query (1976), My Apology (1980), The Floating Light Bulb (1981), Death Defying Acts (1995) and Writer's Block (2003).

A Second Hand Memory will play Tuesday Saturday evenings at 8 PM, Sunday evening at 7:30 PM and matinees on Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM. Curtain on opening night Monday, Nov. 22 is 7 PM. Added holiday performances are Nov. 24 at 3 PM; Dec. 22 at 3 PM and Dec. 24 at 3 PM.

Tickets are $60 and are available starting Aug. 20 by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200.

For more information, visit www.atlantictheater.org.