Photo Flash: Opening Night Of HAPPY DAYS At Mark Taper Forum
By: A.A. Cristi May. 23, 2019
The Yale Repertory Theatre production of Samuel Beckett's classic "Happy Days" celebrated its opening night at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. See photos from the evening!
Directed by James Bundy, the production features Academy Award winner Dianne Wiest("Hannah and Her Sisters," "Bullets Over Broadway") as Winnie and Michael Rudko as Willie. Currently in previews, "Happy Days" will play at the Mark Taper Forum through June 30, 2019, with the opening set for May 22 at 8 p.m.
The design team includes scenic designer Izmir Ickbal, costume designer Alexae Visel, lighting designer Stephen Strawbridge and sound designer Kate Marvin. Catherine Sheehy and Nahuel Telleria serve as dramaturgs and the production stage manager is Kelly Montgomery.
Samuel Beckett's absurdist masterpiece "Happy Days" centers on Winnie (played by Wiest). With her husband Willie (played by Rudko) increasingly out of reach and the earth itself threatening to swallow her whole, Winnie's buoyant optimism shields her from the harsh glare of the inevitable in this absurdly funny and boundlessly compassionate portrait of the human spirit. Winnie is considered modern drama's pinnacle female role. She is an endlessly fascinating spirit of cheery resourcefulness and unassuming grace in the face of inevitable oblivion in a play Wiest refers to as "Hamlet" for women.
Photo Credit: Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Kelvin Han Yee
Shoniqua Shandai
Ty Mayberry
Aubrey Anderson
Noah Wyle and Sara Wells
Dianne Wiest and Suzanne Cryer
From left, Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie, cast member Dianne Wiest and director James Bundy backstage after the opening night performance of “Happy Daysâ€' at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on May 22, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)
From left, cast members Dianne Wiest and Michael Rudko at the party for the opening night performance of “Happy Daysâ€' at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on May 22, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)
From left, cast members Michael Rudko and Dianne Wiest during the curtain call for the opening night performance of “Happy Daysâ€' at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on May 22, 2019, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging)
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