In the case of Auburn, who snagged the Pulitzer Prize and the Tony Award for Proof—to be the final show of the River Rep season—the company will literally be welcoming him: He'll appear in a talk-back following a performance of his hit in August.
The 18th River Rep season offers five shows, including Simon's starting-over love story, Chapter Two, June 23-July 3; Moss Hart's comedy about theatre people, Light Up the Sky, July 7-17; the Rupert Holmes murder mystery musical, The Mystery of Edwin Drood (inspired by an unfinished Dickens story, in which you choose the ending) July 21-Aug. 7; Coward's comedy, Present Laughter, Aug. 11-21; and Proof, Auburn's family drama about the troubled daughter of mentally ill math genius, Aug. 25-Sept. 5.
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River Rep artistic director Warren Kelley announced a special talk-back event featuring David Auburn, following the Aug. 29 performance of Proof. The River Rep staging of the play is directed by Stephen Kunken, who played Hal in the Broadway and national touring productions of the play.
This marks the first time in River Rep's history that an author of a season's show will take the stage. In the past 17 years, the Equity-affiliated River Rep has staged more than 85 productions - five shows in each season at the intimate and historic Ivoryton Playhouse, built as a community hall by the local piano factory early in the 20th century.
In addition to Warren Kelley, the troupe includes managing director Joan Shepard, producing directors Evan Thompson, Julia Kiley (who won a 2003-04 Connecticut critics award for acting in River Rep's 2003 Follies), Jenn Thompson and Owen Thompson; artistic director emeritus Jane Stanton; and production manager Arthur Pignataro.
River Rep performances are Wednesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 8 PM and Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2:30 PM, with Sunday twilight matinees at 5 PM. Tickets range $25-$27, with senior and under-12 discounts available. The Ivoryton Playhouse is located at 103 Main St., Ivoryton (a section of Essex, CT).
For ticket information, call (860) 767-2954. Visit www.riverrep.com for more information.
