Open Doors, now in its 17th year, is the first arts education program to be awarded a special Tony Honor for “Excellence in the Theatre.” “Wendy was a tireless advocate for the arts,” said Victoria Bailey, TDF’s executive director. “We shared her belief that it was the birthright of every New Yorker to attend the theatre. With that conviction, we created Open Doors in 1998. Since then, the program has grown in size and scope. We now have 24 groups, each mentored by a group of theatre professionals giving generously of their time and passion, and reaching across New York City middle and high schools. Since its inception, over 2100 students have participated in the program.”
Attending the celebration were former graduates of the program, current The Heidi Chronicles stars Jason Biggs and Bryce Pinkham, current TDF Open Doors mentors James Lapine and Peter Friedman (who played “Scoop Rosenbaum” in the original production of The Heidi Chronicles on Broadway, Amy Irving (who originated the role of “Heidi Holland” in the Los Angeles premiere), and TDF Open Doors funders had a pre-performance lunch at The West Bank Café prior to attending the matinee performance.
The Heidi Chronicles was first produced by Playwrights Horizons in 1988 before moving to Broadway, winning the Pulitzer Prize, the Tony Award, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award, the Drama Desk Award, the Hull-Warriner Award and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. The original production also took home a 1989 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (Boyd Gaines). Joan Allen, who starred in the title role, was Tony-nominated for her performance.
The Broadway revival features scenic design by John Lee Beatty, costume design by Jessica Pabst, lighting design by Japhy Weideman, sound design by Jill BC Du Boff, projection design by Peter Nigrini and hair and make-up design by Leah J. Loukas. Casting is by Daniel Swee.
The Heidi Chronicles is produced by Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Susan Gallin, Mary Lu Roffe, Eagle Productions LLC, Stacy Jacobs, LTPS Productions, Gabrielle Palitz, Sally Horchow, Rebecca Gold, Ken Greiner, Grimaldi & WSProductions, Jamie deRoy & friends, Amy Kaissar, Suzanne Friedman, Ed Goldstone, Jessica Genick, and Will Trice.
Tickets are available at Telecharge.com, by calling (212) 239-6200, or by visiting the box office of the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th St).
Visit TheHeidiChroniclesOnBroadway.com for more information.
