Earl Productions presents the drama, seen at New Jersey Rep in 2003 and in a 2005 Manhattan reading at the DR2. Performances will play the 45th Street Theatre through April 29.
The distinguished director Robert Kalfin directs this inaugural project from producer Briana Seferian, the founder of Earl Productions. The cast features Amanda Jones, Jonathan Kells Phillips and Samantha Ives.
"Set in 18th century France, The Color of Flesh is a love triangle surrounding the lives of the naïve and romantic Queen Marie Antoinette, her beautiful and willful best friend: the portrait artist Elisabeth Vigee Le Brun and the radical aristocrat, Count Alexis De Ligne who becomes lover to both women," according to the producers. "Spanning two politically-charged decades, the story begins with Le Brun taking advantage of her liaison with Count Alexis to obtain a commission to paint the imperious but vulnerable young Queen. While the ambitious painter uses the Queen to secure more commissions, the Count uses her to further his political goals. What neither of them anticipates is the deep love they learn to have for a Queen, whose good nature but staid beliefs and misunderstanding of politics places her in greater peril as the years pass."
Playwright Gross was co-writer of the film "No Escape" starring Ray Liotta and wrote "Blind Man's Bluff" starring Robert Urich for television.
Director Robert Kalfin founded the Chelsea Theatre Center. His Broadway credits include Strider, Happy End (starring Meryl Streep and Christopher Lloyd), Yentl (starring Tovah Feldshuh) and Truly Blessed. He was the co-producer of the Chelsea/Harold Prince production of Candide. During the 2004-05 season, he directed Willie B. Came Into the Sun for the Passage Theatre Company, the Drama Desk-nominated Off-Broadway production Outward Bound and Othello for the Cornell Schwartz Performing Arts Center. The 45th Street Theatre is located at 354 W. 45th Street, between Eighth and Ninth Avenues. Thursday through Saturday performances are at 8 PM. Sunday matinees are at 2 PM. There is no show on April 8. Tickets are $18. Reservations are available at www.smarttix.com or by calling (212) 254-9533. Visit www.earlproductions.org for details.
