Duse's Fever, Play on Acting Legend, Begins Off-Bway 11/9

Duse's Fever -- a new Off-Broadway play by Mica Bagnasco, based on the life of celebrated actress Eleanora Duse -- will be given its world-premiere production, with previews beginning November 9th, prior to its official press opening November 16th at Theatre Row's Kirk Theatre (410 West 42nd Street).
 
Directed by Douglas S. Hall and performed by Mica Bagnasco, "Duse's Fever is set in the dressing room of the world-renowned actress Eleanora Duse, where Nina, her devoted dresser of 26 years, awaits her cues while Duse is performing on stage in Henrik Ibsen's Hedda Gabler," according to press materials.
 
"Based on real life events in Duse's unparalleled career, Duse's Fever takes place in Italy, a few months before her death. Beloved by Chekhov, Shaw, Joyce, Le Gallienne, Barrymore, Chaplin, kings and commoners, Duse comes to life in Duse's Fever through Nina's recollection of the grand accomplishments and intimate details of the actress's colorful life."
 
The show will feature set design by Kevin Judge; lighting design by Shawn E. Boyle; costume design by Davide Borella; and sound design by Jeremy Lee.
 
As an actress, Mica Bagnasco, a protégé of legendary Italian actor Vittorio Gassman, was featured in the popular television series "Passioni" in Torino, Italy. In the late 1980's, she moved to the States to learn English, and performed in New York in plays such as: Pirandello's The Vice, Mario Fratti's The Hollow and Verdict, and William Luce's The Last Flapper.  Film credits include Joey Breaker and If Lucy Fell. As a playwright, she has adapted into English Annibale Ruccello's Anna Cappelli, which was performed at the Samuel Beckett Theatre. She co-wrote and performed her autobiographical one-woman show, Made in Italy, which was presented in New York and toured in the U.S.  Bagnasco also translated Our Fathers by Italian author Luigi Lunari, in which she portrayed Rosemary Kennedy, at the Samuel Beckett Theatre. 
 
Performances of Duse's Fever run November 9-December 2 at Theatre Row's Kirk Theatre (410 West 42nd Street); Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm; Saturdays at 2 and 7:30pm; Sunday, November 12 at 2pm; Sunday, November 26 at 7:30pm; with additional performances Monday, November 13 at 7:30pm; Tuesday, November 14 at 7:30pm and Wednesday, November 15 at 7:30pm. Tickets are $35. For reservations, call TicketCentral 212-279-4200 or visit online at www.TicketCentral.com.