The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park season comes to an end with the close of their 20th anniversary presentation of Lanford Wilson’s Talley's Folly, ending June 1. Wilson's Pulitzer-Prize winning story opened April 29.
Wilson’s story is set in Lebanon, Missouri, circa 1944. In the all-out romance, a 40 year-old accountant named Matt Friedman appeals to 30 year-old Sally Talley, professing his love for her despite her concerns that her WASP family will never accept an interfaith marriage. In the course of an evening, these “two kindred spirits discover a wholeness all too rare in human relationships.”
The company of Talley’s Folly includes Geoffrey Cantor as Matt Friedman and Kelly McAndrew as Sally Talley in their Cincinnati Playhouse debuts.
The creative team comprises set designer John Lee Beatty (Tony nominated for the original Broadway production), lighting designer Dennis Parichy (ditto for his Tony nominated contribution), sound designer Chuck London and costume designer Laura Crow (pre-Broadway Los Angeles premiere of Talley's Folly).
Playwright Wilson rose to prominence in the ’60s Off-Off Broadway and together with director Marshall W. Mason and performers Rob Thirkield and Tanya Berezin, founded New York's Circle Repertory Company. Circle Rep has been cited for its influential role in the careers of actors Judd Hirsch, Jeff Daniels, William Hurt and Christopher Reeve as well as authors Sam Shepard, Craig Lucas, Donald Margulies and David Ives. The theatre company was also instrumental in the development of Wilson’s Hot L Baltimore, The Fifth of July, Burn This and Talley's Folly. Four free “Meet the Artists” programs follow selected performances on May 6, May 9, May 20 and May 24. Audio described performances are scheduled May 5 and signed performances for the hearing impaired are scheduled for May 6. Other special access and enhancements are available.
Tickets are $29-$41. For tickets call the box office at (513) 421-3888 or toll-free in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana at (800) 582-3208. Call (513) 345 2248 for TDD accessibility. Tickets also can be purchased on the Playhouse web site at www.cincyplay.com.
— by Ernio Hernandez
and Murdoch McBride
