Palm Beach Dramaworks to Welcome Tony Walton for 'Dramalogue' Series

Tony Walton, who has designed sets and costumes for film, opera, ballet, and television but is perhaps best known for his extensive work in theatre, will appear live, onstage at Palm Beach Dramaworks on Tuesday, January 3, to discuss his distinguished career with J. Barry Lewis as part of the popular series Dramalogue - Talking Theatre! The program will be presented twice, at 2pm and 7pm, at the Don & Ann Brown Theatre.

Elected to the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1991, Walton has received 16 Tony Award nominations and won for his scenic design of Pippin (1973), The House of Blue Leaves (1986), and Guys and Dolls (1982). He also received the Academy Award for Art Direction for his work on All That Jazz (1980), and an Emmy Award for Art Direction for Death of a Salesman (1986).

Walton made his Broadway debut in 1967 as set and costume designer of The Apple Tree, and received a Tony nomination for his costumes. Other memorable productions include Chicago (1976), A Day in Hollywood/A Night in the Ukraine (1980), The Real Thing(1984), The Front Page (1987), Anything Goes (1988), Lend Me a Tenor (1989), Grand Hotel (1990), She Loves Me (1994), and Uncle Vanya (2000). He received Tony nominations for his scenic design on each of those shows, and was also nominated as costume designer for his work on Anything Goes. In Hollywood, his superb costumes for Mary Poppins (1964), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), and The Wiz (1978) earned him Academy Award nominations.

Walton began directing 20 years ago (designing many of his productions as well), and his work has been seen in New York at the Irish Repertory Theatre, the Irish Arts Center, and the York Theatre Company, as well as at The Old Globe in San Diego, Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, John Drew Theater at Guild Hall in East Hampton, Goodspeed Musicals in East Haddam, CT, and Asolo Rep in Sarasota. A short list of the actors he's directed includes Alec Baldwin, Candice Bergman, Bobby Cannavale, Glenn Close, Jim Dale, Blythe Danner, Melissa Errico, Boyd Gaines, Simon Jones, Nancy Marchand, Bebe Neuwirth, Mercedes Ruehl, and Marian Seldes.

Dramalogue is a series made up of six programs that explore all aspects of theatre in conversations with or about the industry's top professionals and master artists. Following the interview with Walton, there are four programs still to come. On February 7, seven-time Tony Award-winner Fran Weissler, who is currently represented on Broadway by Chicago and Waitress, will discuss the role of the Broadway producer and talk about some of the plays and musicals she's co-produced with her husband, Barry Weissler. Up next, on March 7, is an interview with beloved lyricist Sheldon Harnick, recipient of a 2016 Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, who will discuss his illustrious 64-year career with Sheryl Flatow. Harnick's work with composer Jerry Bock includes Fiorello! (Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award), She Loves Me, and Fiddler on the Roof (Tony Award).

On April 4, J. Barry Lewis explores the career of Tom Stoppard, one of the most honored and revered playwrights of his generation, whose piercing intellect, dazzling wit, and stunning wordplay can be seen this season in PBD's production of his masterpiece, Arcadia. The series concludes on April 18, when three noted theatre critics join Flatow in a roundtable discussion about their work. Participants are Christine Dolan(former theatre critic of the Miami Herald), Hap Erstein(The Palm Beach Post, Palm Beach ArtsPaper), and Bill Hirschman (Florida Theater On Stage).

Mark Perlberg is the executive producer of Dramalogue, which is sponsored by Nancy and Jay Parker. Presentations may include videos clips and/or scene readings. Audiences are invited to participate in a Q&A at the conclusion of each event. Remaining individual tickets are $25.

Palm Beach Dramaworks is a non-profit, professional theatre and is a member of the Theatre Communications Group, the South Florida Theatre League, Florida Professional Theatres Association, and the Cultural Council of Palm Beach County.

The Don & Ann Brown Theatre is located in the heart of downtown West Palm Beach, at 201 Clematis Street. For ticket information contact the box office at (561) 514-4042, or visit www.palmbeachdramaworks.org.

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