Broadway And Film Stars Take The Stage In Gulfshore Playhouse's THE PRICE

As its first production of the new year, Gulfshore Playhouse presents Arthur Miller's "The Price." Starring Jeffrey Binder (Broadway's "Lion King" and "Mary Poppins"), David Whalen (star of motion pictures "Fault in our Stars" and "American Pastoral"), Stuart Zagnit (Broadway's "Newsies," "Wicked," and "Seussical"), and Marilee Talkington (off-Broadway's "Truce) and directed by Kristen Coury, Gulfshore Playhouse's founder and producing artistic director, "The Price" will run from Saturday, Jan. 13 through Sunday, Feb. 4.

In "The Price," Miller - the consummate voice of the American experience - examines how in order to move forward, one must make peace with the past. The play is set in an old, memory-filled Manhattan brownstone attic that becomes the staging ground for conflict between past and present, success and failure, and obligation and choice when two estranged brothers, Victor (Binder) and Walter (Whalen), return to their childhood home after 30 years.

The New York Times has called "The Price" Miller's best play. A Tony Award-winning playwright, Miller is also known as one of the leading figures in 20th-century American theatre, and was the creator of "Death of a Salesman," "The Crucible," and "A View from the Bridge."

A 15-year Broadway veteran, Binder's New York credits include Zazu in Disney's "The Lion King" and George Banks in the hit musical "Mary Poppins," both performed at the New Amsterdam Theatre on 42nd Street. Television credits include "Damages," "Law & Order" and "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Guiding Light," and "All My Children." Binder also serves as Gulfshore Playhouse's associate artistic director, and most recently appeared on the Gulfshore Playhouse stage as Sherlock Holmes in "Hound of the Baskervilles" and Henry Higgins in "My Fair Lady."

Appearing in more than 100 productions across the country, Whalen's list of credits also includes television and film work on a number of best-rated motion pictures, including "Southpaw," "The Last Witch Hunter," "Jack Reacher," "Insomnia," "Bystander," "The Last Samaritan," "Black Dahlia," "My Bloody Valentine," and "Diagnosis: Murder." Whalen will appear in the upcoming film "Holmes & Watson" starring Will Ferrell and John C. Riley.

As Gregory Solomon, Zagnit brings Broadway credits including "The Wild Party," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "The People in the Picture," and "Those Were the Days." He has appeared Off-Broadway in the original "Little Shop of Horrors," "All in the Timing," "Lucky Stiff," "Kuni-Leml," "Picon Pie," "A Dybbuk," and "The Grand Tour."

Talkington, who plays the role of Esther Franz, has appeared Off-Broadway in "A Nervous Smile," and "The Middle Ages." Her recent regional credits include "Imaginary Comforts," "Xs & Os," "Lily's Revenge with Taylor Mac," "Rapture Blister Burn," and "Salomania."

A visible figure at every Gulfshore Playhouse production, Coury founded the professional, regional theatre in 2004 after a more than a decade with Broadway producing companies working on productions for Broadway, and tours both nationally and internationally. Her work in New York included management positions with Walt Disney Theatrical Productions and Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Really Useful Group. A board member of the Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the producing professional, not-for-profit American Theatre, Coury is also a frequent investor in Broadway productions - including the New York Times' Critics' Pick, "Once On This Island."

"In my unique role as founder and producing artistic director, I have the opportunity to collaborate with actors, artists and designers from around the country, and bring my distinct directing style to the shows that I direct, with the audience in mind. Arthur Miller is a favorite of mine, so directing any one of his plays is a treat. This play will assuredly resonate with our audiences. His inimitable writing is timeless, and "The Price" is as resonant today as the day he wrote it," Said Coury.

Production staff includes Scenic Designer Kristen Martino; Sound Designer Beth Lake; Lighting Designer Jimmy Lawlor; and Costume Designer, Jennifer Bronsted.

Evening shows begin at 8 p.m.; matinees begin at 3 p.m. Show subscriptions are available and include priority seating, exclusive events and discounted pricing. All show tickets are $30 two hours before a performance. For purchase information, visit www.GulfshorePlayhouse.org or contact 866-811-4111.

Gulfshore Playhouse is committed to enriching the cultural landscape of the region by producing professional theatre to the highest artistic and national standards, and providing unique educational opportunities to diverse groups of people in a spirit of service, adventure, and excitement. Gulfshore Playhouse's work is inspired by a belief in the magic of theater to expand the imagination, challenge the senses, provoke discussion, and revitalize in the audience an understanding of common humanity. This belief drives the respect with which Gulfshore Playhouse treats its artists, audiences, students, staff, and members of the greater community. This focus is also at the core of its newest endeavor - the creation of a landmark facility in downtown Naples. Plans are currently underway for Gulfshore Playhouse's new 56,000-square-foot complex at Goodlette-Frank Road and First Avenue South on the northern end of The Shoppes at Naples Square that will include two theaters, to support the production of professional theatre, and an education wing, featuring training and productions for children, adults and families.

For more information about Gulfshore Playhouse or its new facility, visit www.gulfshoreplayhouse.org or call 239-261-PLAY (7529).

 

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