Photo Coverage: Wynn Handman Honored at The Players

Wynn Handman, Co-Founder and Artistic Director of The American Place Theatre was recently toasted by a gathering of theater and film luminaries at a reception in his honor hosted by David Kener, Executive Director The American Place Theatre and John Martello, Executive Director, The Players at their historic home on Gramercy Park.  Martello officially welcomed Handman as an Honorary Member in the renowned club founded by actor Edwin Booth, and which counts among its past members such illustrious figures as John Barrymore, Helen Hayes, Ernest Hemingway and Lauren Bacall.

Wynn Handman has been instrumental in bringing to the stage the early work of many of America's finest playwrights including Ed Bullins, Maria Irene Fornes, Jonathan Reynolds, Robert Ribman, Sam Shepard and Steve Tesich. He has introduced plays by writers such as Robert Lowell, Joyce Carol Oates and Sylvia Plath and presented writer/performers early in their careers including Bill Irwin, Eric Bogosian and John Leguizamo. One of the country's most revered acting teachers for over 50 years he has trained thousands of actors including James Caan, Kathleen Chalfant, Sandy Duncan, Joel Grey, Raul Julia, Susan Lucci, Burt Reynolds, Tony Roberts, Anna Deavere Smith, Mira Sorvino, Christopher Walken, Denzel Washington and Joanne Woodward.  

The induction of Wynn Handman into The Players was also the official kickoff to the upcoming gala Wynn, Place & Show, a monumental double header celebration of Handman's 85th Birthday and the 45th Anniversary of The American Place Theatre on May 21 at The Hudson Theatre.  In true American Place style, the gala will unconventionally combine witty intelligent satire with all the elements of an elegant dinner-dance and will feature a specially created performance piece written by Jonathan Reynolds and directed by Ed Sherin.  Among the long list of accomplished world class actors who were either trained by Handman or got their start at The American Place Theatre. participating in this historical salute are: Alec Baldwin, Eric Bogosian, Doris Roberts, Phyllis Newman, Tony Roberts, Mark Rydell, Dael Orlandersmith, Marian Seldes, Richard Schiff and Sam Shepard.  

Visit www.americanplacetheatre.org for more information.

Photos by John Wegorzewski

Barbara and Wynn Handman

Barbara Blackburn and Jennifer Barnette - Managing Director - The American Place Theatre

Barbara Ligeti and Bobby Abid

Calvin Trillin honors Wynn Handman

Chris Norwood, Tessa Ferrer and John Norwood

David Kener with Trish and Peter Klestadt 

Frank Shattuck

Gary and Kathryn Andreassen 

Reception guests

John Martello, Wynn Handman and Edward Callaghan

Louis Zorich, Wynn Handman with Olympia Dukakis 

Marilyn Dodds with brother Allan Dodds Frank

Pat O'Haire and Tony Roberts 

Peter Klestadt signs Wynn Handman's birthday card

Randie Levine Miller (Drama Desk) with Tony Roberts

Rob Wilson, Barbara Blackburn and Jean Lichty

Susan Hill and Bruce Michael

Tessa Ferrer (Grandaughter of Jose Ferrer) with Wynn Handman

Tony Roberts and Wynn Handman

Tony Roberts, Olympia Dukakis and David Kener, Executive Director

Wynn Handman with Peter Klestadt

Wynn Handman and Calvin Trillin

Wynn Handman

Wynn Handman and Tony Roberts

Wynn Handman and Olympia Dukakis

Wynn Handman and Olympia Dukakis