Clurman Festival Launches with Rand's Let It Be Art!, 5/4

The Stella Adler Studio of Acting will launch its first-ever Harold Clurman Festival of the Arts with a special performance of Ronald Rand's internationally acclaimed solo play, Let It Be Art! Harold Clurman's Life of Passion starring Rand as the late Elder Statesman of The American Theater" Harold Clurman.

Gregory Abels will direct the piece. Following the performance, there will be a symposium on Clurman's effect on theater and art with actors Roy Scheider, Zoe Caldwell, Lois Smith and Elaine Stritch moderated by drama critic Howard Kissel. The performance, which will kick off the four-day festival of theater, music, poetry and symposia, will take place on Friday, May 4th 6:30 PM at the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, 31 West 27th Street.

"Ronald Rand, in an unforgettable performance of passion, courage and inspiration, captures the soul and persona of Harold Clurman, but also slips into such personalities as Alfred Stieglitz, Lee Strasberg, Jacob Adler, Constantin Stanislavski, and yes, Stella Adler. As writer and performer, Mr. Rand brings to life the essence of who Harold Clurman was and what he stood for," according to press notes.

Let It Be Art! Harold Clurman's Life of Passion "tells the compelling story of Harold Clurman heralded as 'the elder statesman of the American Theatre'— one of the 20th century's most influential theatrical figures, and co-founder of the famed Group Theatre, considered by many the most significant ensemble theatre in the history of the American theatre, revolutionizing not only the American Theatre but American acting in every facet. Harold Clurman embodied the passion, the fervor, and the inspiring voice of an entire generation. Award-winning director of 40 of the most important plays of the 20th century — A Member of the Wedding with Julie Harris; Bus Stop with Kim Stanley; and he directed Marlon Brando (in his first adult role) in Truckline Café, he also authored such influential books as The Fervent Years, and On Directing."

The Harold Clurman Festival of the Arts will run May 4th through May 8th with an line-up of artists including Tony Award-winner Marian Seldes, Nobel Prize laureate Derek Walcott, award winning poets Charles Wright, Martha Serpas, and Grace Schulman, jazz legend David Amram, composer and musician Laurence Gingold, new music composer and performer Ned Otter, actors Elizabeth Parrish, Holland Taylor, and Cynthia Adler, playwright John Guare, Horton Foote and Israel Horovitz and the world premiere of a new work by Adler student Robert Collier Sublett entitled Calacas.

There will also be special award ceremonies recognizing the legacy of Clurman. On Sunday, May 7, critic, author and former host of the PBS series All about Television, Steven Scheuer, will receive the Harold Clurman Spirit Award from Ellen Adler, vice-chairman of the Studio. On Monday, May 8, legendary playwright Edward Albee will receive the Harold Clurman Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Marian Seldes.

Tickets are $15 for the play and $40 for the panel discussion call 212-689-0087. For full schedules on the festival and to learn more about The Stella Adler Studio of Acting please visit: www.stellaadler.com.