Elizabeth Franz to Star in Ronald Harwood's QUARTET at Sharon Playhouse

Sharon Playhouse, under the leadership of Artistic Director John Simpkins and Managing Director Justin Ball, proudly presents Tony Award-Winner Elizabeth Franz in Ronald Harwood's play Quartet, with performances August 18 through August 28 at Sharon Playhouse (49 Amenia Road). Opening night is August 18 at 7:00pm.

Elizabeth Franz (Broadway's Death of A Salesman) stars as "Jean," alongside real life husband and wife actors, Joseph Hindy as "Reginald" and Patricia McAneny as "Cecily;" and Greg Mullavey (TV's iCarly and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman) as "Wilfred."
Elizabeth Franz won a Tony Award for her portrayal of Linda Loman in the 50th Anniversary revival of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman on Broadway in 1999. Other performances include Long Day's Journey Into Night, Mornings at Seven and Sister Mary Ignatuis Explains It All For You. She made her Broadway debut in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and her UK stage debut in a revival of Buried Child (by Sam Shepard) at the National Theatre in London.

Academy Award-winner (The Pianist) Ronald Harwood's play features four elderly opera-singers who have ended up in the same retirement home for artists. A concert is about to take place to celebrate Verdi's birthday. Will these four singers be able to recreate their youth and perform their acclaimed quartet from Rigoletto? Quartet was adapted as a 2013 film, directed by Dustin Hoffman and starred Maggie Smith "We deal with the issues of relationships, friendships and aging in Quartet," says Ms. Franz.

"I've played Jean Horton before, so she is an old friend of mine at this point. I feel particularly comfortable portraying her this time at The Sharon Playhouse in my own Litchfield County neighborhood. Though I've been living in Warren (CT) since the 1970s this is the first time that I've been on the stage here and I'm very much looking forward to it. I'm totally delighted and impressed with the quality of The Playhouse productions under John Simpkins."

The production is designed by Michael Schweikardt (scenery), Chris Dallos (lighting) and Michelle Humphrey (costumes). Sara Sheets is production stage manager. Geoff Josselson is casting director.

Performances are Tuesday through Friday at 7pm, Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday at 3pm. Tickets, $15-$47, are available online and at the Sharon Playhouse Box Office by calling (860) 364-7469.

The Sharon Playhouse (49 Amenia Road) is located at the foot of the Berkshires in idyllic Sharon, CT, and just a few minutes from the Metro North (Wassaic) train station. For more information, www.sharonplayhouse.org or call (860) 364-7469.

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