Westport Country Playhouse Extends WHAT THE BUTLER SAW
By: BWW News Desk Aug. 30, 2016
The shameless comedy is written by Joe Orton. Director is John Tillinger, who helmed a recent, critically acclaimed production of the show in Los Angeles, as well as earlier productions in London and New York. The New York Times praised Tillinger as "one of our sharpest directors of comedy, especially of the kind of black comedy honed by Joe Orton."
In "What the Butler Saw," Dr. Prentice, a psychiatric doctor in an exclusive, private clinic, is attempting to interview, and seduce, an attractive would-be secretary. As part of his unconventional interview technique, he asks her to undress. When the doctor's wife makes an unexpected visit, he must hide the unclad girl, and the chaos begins.
The show premiered in London in 1969. The New York production later won an Obie Award.
The cast includes Julian Gamble as Sergeant Match (Broadway's "The Seagull," "The Invention of Love," "Democracy," "The Iceman Cometh," "Dinner at Eight," "A Month in The Country"; TV's "House of Cards"); Chris Ghaffari as Nicholas Beckett (Hartford Stage's "Romeo & Juliet"; The New York Shakespeare Festival's "King Lear"; recent MFA, Yale School of Drama); Patricia Kalember as Mrs. Prentice (WCP's "A Marriage Minuet"; Broadway's "The Foreigner"; TV's "Power," "Madam Secretary," "Orange Is the New Black"; regular on "thirtysomething"); Sarah Manton as Geraldine Barclay (WCP's "Bedroom Farce," "Things We Do for Love"; Broadway/London's "One Man, Two Guvnors"; London's "The Coast of Utopia," "South Pacific," Baby in "Dirty Dancing"); Robert Stanton as Dr. Prentice (WCP's "Hay Fever"; Broadway's "A Free Man of Color," "Mary Stuart," "The Coast of Utopia"; Off-Broadway's "All in the Timing" (Obie Award); Film/TV's "Jason Bourne," "Orange Is the New Black"); and Paxton Whitehead as Dr. Rance (WCP's "Bedroom Farce," "The Circle," "How the Other Half Loves," more; Broadway's "The Importance of Being Earnest," "My Fair Lady" (Helen Hayes Award), "Noises Off" (Drama Desk Award).
"What the Butler Saw" Production Partner is Carole Hochman. Corporate Production Partner is First Niagara.
Single tickets start at $30; buy early for best prices. For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org or call the box office at (203) 227-4177, toll-free at 1-888-927-7529, or visit Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, off Route 1, Westport.
The mission of Westport Country Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about and the welcoming experience of The Playhouse campus. The Playhouse creates this relationship with the community and provides this experience in multiple ways by offering: Live theater experiences of the highest quality, under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos, from May through October; educational and community engagement events and opportunities to further explore issues presented by the work on stage; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings throughout the year to deepen relationships with audiences and artists alike; the renowned Woodward Internship Program training program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations from November through April to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round. The value of the Westport Country Playhouse to all it touches is immeasurable.
Stay connected to The Playhouse on Facebook (Westport Country Playhouse), follow on Twitter (@WCPlayhouse), and on YouTube (WestportPlayhouse).
Pictured: Patricia Kalember and Robert Stanton in "What the Butler Saw" at Westport Country Playhouse. Photo by Carol Rosegg.
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