Photo Flash: A Touch Of The Poet

In Friendly Fire's production of A TOUCH OF THE POET, directed by Alex Lippard, Daniel J. Travanti stars as Cornelius ("Con") Melody, once a landed gentleman in Ireland, now an innkeeper in America who has fallen upon hard times. He lives in the past, strutting like a peacock in his army officer's uniform from twenty years before, playing the part of the nobleman and treating his wife Nora (Ellen Crawford) and daughter Sara (Tessa Klein) with contempt and derision -- all to puff up his own sense of pride and importance. When the arrival of a mysterious lady and her son threatens to destroy Con's grand illusion, he makes one last attempt to defend his honor, resulting in a drunken brawl and utter humiliation. Finally forced to confront his true self, Con learns to accept who he really is. Or does he?

Performances of A TOUCH OF THE POET run December 2-20: Tuesdays-Saturdays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2:00pm, and Sundays at 3:00pm at The 14th Street Theater (344 East 14th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenues). Tickets are $20, available online at Theatermania.com or by calling 212-352-3101; or at the door, one hour prior to curtain (cash only at box office). For additional information, please visit www.friendlyfirenyc.org

Photos by Carol Rosegg

Daniel J. Travanti and Tessa Klein