Civic Theatre's BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S Opens Tonight

Civic Theatre will conclude its 2014-2015 main stage season with the regional premiere of Richard Greenberg's adaptation of Truman Capote's book "Breakfast at Tiffany's" beginning tonight, May 1 with performances through Saturday, May 16. Civic's Artistic Director William Sanders directs.

Based on Truman Capote's acclaimed novella, and not the 1960s film classic, "Breakfast at Tiffany's" comes alive in a new adaptation by Richard Greenberg (Take Me Out, Eastern Standard, The American Plan, Three Days of Rain and the upcoming The Assembled Parties). On the Upper East Side of New York in 1943, as World War II rages abroad, Fred, a subdued young writer from the South, meets the vivacious, wild and popular (and blonde) Holly Golightly, and is quickly and quietly fascinated by her charms.

"Breakfast at Tiffany's" is about friendships that may be a blip in a lifetime but that are utterly unshakeable. Produced by special arrangement with the adapter Richard Greenberg and the Capote estate, Civic's production of Breakfast at Tiffany's will be the only time this play will be produced anywhere this year.

"I am a big fan of the film and I recall reading the novel and enjoying it but having a completely different experience," says Civic's Artistic Director William Sanders. "When one thinks of Holly Golightly, one thinks of Audrey Hepburn. It is quite difficult to read the novella and not think of the indelible stamp she put on that character. The woman who Capote created, however, was very different. After seeing the play in New York, I became very interested in telling this story the way Capote originally envisioned it and as he originally intended."

According to biographers, Truman Capote hated Hepburn in the part. Capote had wanted Marilyn Monroe for the Hollywood adaptation of his 1958 novella as he thought the elegant Hepburn was miscast as Holly. Capote saw Holly as a Texas runaway who reinvents herself as a Manhattan "It Girl". The Holly of Capote's imagination was a blonde party girl (Civic's Holly will also be blonde) who had a challenging childhood - much like Monroe did growing up as Norma Jeane Baker.

"The stage adaptation by Richard Greenberg is full of shadows and terrors, and is truer to the spirit of Truman's novella," says Sanders. "The movie also glossed over the genuinely heartrending air of Capote's story -- an aimless bachelorette who uses sugar daddies as her income and a crutch to avoid the pain of her past. It added a happy ending and romance with a writer, a kept man who ditches his sugar mamma when he falls in love with Holly. This feels more authentic and it also is a valentine to free-spirited women rather than a cautionary tale about a little girl lost in the big city."

The cast features Kendal Conrad as Holly Golightly. Will Morris is Capote's stand-in, Fred. The cast of "Breakfast at Tiffany's" also includes Jerry Schmidt, John Kuchar, Kelly Suarez, Goran Zdravkovic, Dan Becker and Mark Boyer.

The production features a set design by Marilyn Loose. Sound design is by Helena Confer. Costume design is by Nina Reilly. Wig and hair design is by Kim Danish. Jason Sizemore serves as property master. Gretchen Furst is Associate Director. Emily Heller is production stage manager. Jarrod Yuskauskas is dialect coach.

Civic's Box Office # is 610-432-8943 all shows will be produced at Civic's historic 19th Street Theatre, 527 N. 19th Street, Allentown, PA. Free parking for the shows is available along Liberty and Allen Streets near 19th Street. Civic also has arrangements with local businesses as parking sponsors. Additional free parking is available in the Wells Fargo Bank lot at 19th and Liberty; The Allentown Appliance Lot (on Allen Street), the Salvatore Pizza/Lafayette Bank lot on Allen Street; and the Silver Shears lot on Allen Street.

Ticket prices range from $20-$26. Special discounted tickets are available for opening weekend performances on May 1 and 2. All performances are at 7:30 pm, except a special matinee on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10 at 2 pm. More information is available on the Civic Theatre website.

Civic Theatre of Allentown is a 501c3 non-profit organization that professionally produces live community theatre, is the Lehigh Valley's longest running year-round art house cinema, and the home of the Lehigh Valley's oldest continually operated children's theatre school. More information on Civic Theatre of Allentown can be found atwww.civictheatre.com.

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