Harriet Harris Will Appear On 'State Of The Arts' Tomorrow

Tony winner Harriet Harris, currently starring as Margaret Chase Smith in Joe DiPietro's CONSCIENCE, will be this week's special guest on the popular radio talk show 'State of the Arts,' on WPKN (89.5 FM) tomorrow (Friday) at 12:25 PM. The interview may also be heard at wpkn.org. Two-time Tony winner Joe DiPietro's newest play opened March 6th to critical acclaim at George Street Playhouse's new home at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center.

Acting boldly against party lines, Senator Margaret Chase Smith becomes one of the first to stand up against Joseph McCarthy in an extraordinary tale inspired by real events. On June 1, 1950, the senator stood on the Senate floor and delivered her "Declaration of Conscience'' in a historic moment of political courage. This sharply written new play takes audiences behind the scenes of 1950s Washington, offering an intimate glimpse of all the power plays, both political and personal, in the days leading up to and following the singular speech that shook up Congress, the Red Scare and the nation itself.

Harriet Harris has appeared on Broadway in THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE (Tony Award), CINDERELLA, IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU, THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER, PRESENT LAUGHTER, CRY-BABY and Old Acquaintance. Her numerous Off-Broadway credits include JEFFREY, and ME AND MY GIRL and LITTLE ME at Encores! Film & TV includes MEMENTO, "American Horror Story," Felicia Tilman on "Desperate Housewives," Bebe Glazer on "Frasier," PHANTOM THREAD, and ADDAMS FAMILY VALUES.

Playwright Joe DiPietro has won two Tony Awards, a Drama Desk Award and three Outer Critics Circle Awards. His musicals and plays have received thousands of productions across the country and around the world. Broadway: DIANA, MEMPHIS (Tony Award-winning Best Musical), NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT starring Matthew Broderick and Kelli O'Hara, and ALL SHOOK UP. Off-Broadway: I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT, NOW CHANGE (second longest-running musical in Off-Broadway history), THE TOXIC AVENGER, OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS, THE THING ABOUT MEN, CLEVER LITTLE LIES starring Marlo Thomas, and ERNEST SHACKLETON LOVES ME.

Also starring in CONSCIENCE as Senator Joseph McCarthy is Lee Sellars, who appeared in Broadway in WEST SIDE STORY, TALK RADIO and A TIME TO KILL. Other NY stage credits include IOWA, THE ALCHEMIST and GUN-SHY. Film & TV: "The Sopranos," "House of Cards," "Chappelle's Show," "Mindhunter," "Billions," GROUNDHOG DAY, "Elementary," and "Luke Cage."

Under the direction of George Street Artistic Director David Saint, the cast of this world premiere also includes Mark Junek ("Forever," "Smash," "Blindspot") and Cathryn Wake (Broadway's NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812, THE OTHER Josh Cohen).

CONSCIENCE features set design by Jim Youmans, costume design by Brian Hemesath, lighting design by Joe Saint, and sound design by Scott Killian. The production will run through March 29th.

Under the leadership of David Saint since 1998, and Kelly Ryman, Managing Director since 2013, the Playhouse produces groundbreaking new works, inspiring productions of the classics, and hit Broadway plays and musicals that speak to the heart and mind, with an unwavering commitment to producing new work. With its 45-year history of producing nationally renowned theatre, the Playhouse continues to fill a unique theatre and arts education role in the city, state and greater metropolitan region.

For tickets or more information, visit www.GeorgeStreetPlayhouse.org or call (732) 246-7717.

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