Strauss and Robins to Star in Westport's THE LAST JOURNEY

THE LAST JOURNEY, a new play by Tricia Walsh-Smith, will be presented on Monday, January 22 at 7 p.m. at the Westport Country Playhouse in Connecticut as part of Westport's New Play Readings series. The cast will include Peter Strauss, Laila Robins, Marin Ireland, Debargo Sanyal, and Danielle Skraastad. THE LAST JOURNEY will be directed by Carolyn Cantor and the presentation will be followed by an audience talkback session with the playwright.

In this technology-driven world are we possibly endangering the immortality of the soul? Do we put our trust in the unknown? A power greater than ourselves? Or science? Annie Lawton believed that keeping the body alive after being pronounced brain-dead jeopardized the soul's immortality. Now in THE LAST JOURNEY her husband Julian faces a dilemma when faced with the excruciating choice between honoring his dying wife's final wish or to cave in to emotional blackmail inflicted by their daughter.

Playwright Tricia Walsh-Smith is the author of the hit play "Bonkers," which premiered at the Man in the Moon Theatre in London and was followed by a national tour. "Addictions," her trilogy of one-acts, will make its West Coast premiere on January 29 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles starring Denise Van Outen. The presentation of "Addictions" will be a benefit for the Actors' Fund Chemical Dependency Services program.

Peter Strauss won an Emmy Award for his performance in "The Jericho Mile" and he received Emmy nominations for "Rich Man, Poor Man" and "Masada." He made his Broadway debut in "Einstein and the Polar Bear" and he appeared Off-Broadway in "Chinese Friends" and "Sabina." Films include "Soldier Blue," "The Trial of the Catonsville Nine," "The Last Tycoon," "The Secret of NIMH," "Flight of the Black Angel," and "Nick of Time."

Laila Robins has appeared on Broadway in "Heartbreak House," "Frozen," "The Herbal Bed," and "The Real Thing," and Off-Broadway in "Mrs. Klein," "Sore Throats," "Tiny Alice," "The Film Society," "The Merchant of Venice," "The Extra Man," and "Blood Poetry." Film and TV credits include "The Good Shepherd," "True Crime," "Planes, Trains & Automobiles," "Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael," "Gabriel's Fire," "The Book of Daniel," "Sex and the City," "Law & Order," and "The Sopranos."

Marin Ireland's Off-Broadway credits include "The Ruby Sunrise," "Manuscript," "Sabina," "The Harlequin Studies," "Savannah Bay," "Far Away," and "Nocturne." Regional: "Mauritius" (Huntington Theatre Company), "Proof" (Delaware Theatre Company), Warren Leight's "James and Annie" (Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati), and "Nocturne" (American Repertory Theatre).

Debargo Sanyal has appeared Off-Broadway at the Cherry Lane Alternative, Underwood Theater, NY Fringe Festival, Ensemble Studio Theatre, INTAR, and La MaMa. His films include "Quarter Life Crisis," "Fillum Star: The Peter Patel Story," "L'Emon," and "Theen."

Danielle Skraastad's credits include Desdemona in "Othello" (Hartford Stage); "Jesus Hopped the A Train," "Wintertime" and "Big Love" (Wilma Theatre); and "The Grapes of Wrath" (Capital Rep). She appeared Off-Broadway in "Cressida Among the Greeks," "Vincent," "New Day," and "The Word."

Founded in 1931, Westport Country Playhouse has a storied past that is part of the history of theatre in America. In its 77th season and following a major multi-million dollar renovation, the Playhouse serves as a year-round theatre under the artistic direction of Tazewell Thompson.

Tickets for THE LAST JOURNEY are $10 and are available by calling 203-227-4177 or toll-free 888-927-7529.

www.westportplayhouse.org