DUET FOR ONE By Tom Kempinski Directed By Allen Barton at the Beverly Hills Playhouse

Caroline Gottlieb, Visible Ink Productions, and the Beverly Hills Playhouse have announced a new production of Tom Kempinski's critically-acclaimed drama Duet for One, set for a five-week run at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. Under the direction of Allen Barton, the cast will feature Mia Christou and Howard Leder. Opening is on Friday, April 12, at 8pm. The regular running schedule is Friday and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 7pm through May 12.

A famous concert violinist is stricken with a disease which necessitates her retirement from the stage and which threatens her marriage as well. The play is structured as a series of interviews between the violinist and her psychiatrist in which she tries to cope with her illness and its effect on her life.

Set design is by Giles Masters and lighting design is by Derrick McDaniel.

Mia Christou has lived all over the planet and worked in theatre, film, and television on three continents. She studies at the Beverly Hills Playhouse having previously trained with Irma Sandrey at The Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York and with The Royal Shakespeare Company's Cicely Berry. She has appeared on stage most recently as Masha in Vanya & Sonia & Masha & Spike. She co-wrote and directed The Pope of Jocelyn Hollow and she played Holly Craven in the BBC drama Doctors. Her upcoming feature as 1920s diva Catherine Danby in D-Railed is set for release internationally and in the United States this summer.

Howard Leder is a Los Angeles-based actor as well as one of television's most respected editors. As an editor, his credits include This Is Us, The Newsroom, Big Love, American Gods, The Killing, and the pilot for Pitch. Past theatrical credits include Antigone, Waiting for Godot, The Beggar's Opera, Into the Woods, Kiss Me, Kate, and Time and the Conways. He is a graduate of Oberlin College and Conservatory and the USC School of Cinematic Arts.

Allen Barton is a Los Angeles-based playwright, author, director, teacher, and classical pianist. Plays include Circling (2018), Disconnection (2015), Years to the Day (2013), and Engagement (2010). Years to the Day was named one of LA's 10 Best New Plays by LA Weekly and has been performed in 10 cities across three continents. Directing credits include About Faith, I Make You Laughing, Burn This, The Last 5 Years, The Real Thing, Rabbit Hole, The Heidi Chronicles, Oleanna, Speed-the-Plow, and Gruesome Playground Injuries. He has worked as a stage, television, and film actor, and he is also active as a classical pianist. He is currentlyowner and principal teacher at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.

All seats are $20 for general admission and tickets may be purchased online athttps://duetforonebhp.brownpapertickets.com/ or by phone at (800) 838-3006. The Beverly Hills Playhouse is located at 254 S. Robertson Avenue in Beverly Hills, 90211.

Photo credit: Dawn Bowery