Playwright & Religion Professor to Speak at Huntington's DUFF Humanities Forum Sunday 11/3

The Power of Duff playwright Stephen Belber and Trinity College professor of religion in public lifeMark Silk will lead the conversation at the Huntington Theatre Company's Humanities Forum on Sunday, November 3rd following the 2pm performance of Belber's The Power of Duff. The Humanities Forum will be moderated by Huntington Senior Director of External Relations David Dalena. Admission is to the Humanities Forum is free with a ticket to any performance of the moving new drama. Tickets are available athuntingtontheatre.org/power-of-duff and 617 266 0800. Performances continue at the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA through November 9.

In The Power of Duff, Rochester news anchor Charlie Duff shocks his co-anchor, boss, and colleague as he concludes the newscast with a spontaneous prayer rather than his usual send-off the night after his father dies. Yearning for connection, Charlie continues his nightly prayers despite management's initial protestations, rapidly becoming a popular and controversial figure to an ever expanding audience. Yet in spite of the strengthening bond Charlie feels with his the subjects of his prayers and his viewers, he struggles to connect with his estranged teenage son and ex-wife.

David Wilson Barnes (Becky Shaw at Second Stage Theatre and London's Almeida Theatre) plays Charlie Duff, the burnt-out local newscaster who transforms first his community and then himself when he begins praying on-air.Jennifer Westfeldt (Kissing Jessica Stein, Friends with Kids) plays Sue, Charlie's co-anchor, and Amy Pietz ("The Office," "Caroline in the City") plays Duff's ex-wife Lisa. The Power of Duff is produced in association with New York Stage and Film and Vassar's Powerhouse Theater.