THE LITTLE FOXES Plays Shakespeare Theater Of NJ In Madison 6/3-6/28

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey continues its 2009 Season with American playwright Lillian Hellman's compelling work, The Little Foxes beginning performances on June 3 and continuing through June 28 at the Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage - The F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue at Lancaster Road in Madison. For tickets or more information, call the box office at 973-408-5600, email boxoffice@shakespearenj.org or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

On the short list of high-profile, American women playwrights, Lillian Hellman rises toward the top with an impressive canon of plays and screenplays including Watch on the Rhine and The Children's Hour. The critically acclaimed and partially autobiographical The Little Foxes opened on Broadway in 1939 and starred Tallulah Bankhead as Regina Hubbard. It was subsequently made into a feature film starring Bette Davis. Hellman's career as a screenwriter was celebrated in Hollywood until she was put before the House Un-American Activities Committee and blacklisted; thankfully, she was welcomed back to the theatre community and continued writing until her death in 1984.

The Little Foxes is the story of the ambitious, Southern, middle-class Hubbard siblings and their less-than-honorable scheme to become rich even at the expense of destroying their own family. Set in 1900, the Hubbard brothers Oscar and Benjamin and their sister Regina are certain they can finally join the ranks of the social elite if they make good on a business venture to build a cotton mill in the town. Inflamed by greed, the siblings conspire to deceive and manipulate their own family, as well as each other, despite the inevitable consequences. About the original Broadway production, Broadway in Review wrote, "Miss Hellman has a genus for plotting," and the New York Times said, "As a theatrical story-teller, Lillian Hellman is biting and expert."

Single tickets to The Little Foxes are now on sale and range in price from $30 to $54 ($66 and $70 for Opening Nights) depending on performance day and time. Patrons can save up to 45% off regular ticket prices by purchasing discount Ticket Packages and subscriptions that allow ticket buyers to select six, five or four plays of their choice at significantly discounted prices. Ticket Packages also offer additional benefits such as discounts on additional tickets and free and flexible ticket exchange privileges. Patrons may also select FlexPasses -- discounted vouchers that are redeemed for tickets during the season. Ticket packages start at $76. Single ticket prices include a $2 facility fee not subject to discount. To purchase tickets or ticket packages and subscriptions, call the box office at 973-408-5600, email boxoffice@shakespearenj.org or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Tony Award nominee Kathryn Meisle plays the iconic Regina Giddens. Meisle was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance in Tartuffe. She also appeared on Broadway in A Touch of the Poet, The Constant Wife and London Assurance. Meisle last appeared at The Shakespeare Theatre in Blithe Spirit. Regionally, she has appeared at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, The McCarter Theatre and The Guthrie. On television she has appeared in the hit television programs Grey's Anatomy, Damages, The Closer and Brothers and Sisters. Her film credits include Rosewood and You've Got Mail.

Philip Goodwin makes his Shakespeare Theatre debut in the role of Benjamin, Regina's shrewd and conniving brother. Goodwin appeared on Broadway in Tartuffe, The Diary of Anne Frank and The School for Scandal. Goodwin is a company member of The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, DC, where he received Helen Hayes Awards for his performances in Twelfth Night, Timon of Athens and An Enemy of the People. He has also appeared in several productions at The Public Theatre including King Lear, Macbeth and Hamlet as well as in productions at The Signature Theatre, The Atlantic Theatre, Theatre of A New Audience and New York Theatre Workshop.

In the role of Oscar, the second brother to Regina, is Brian Dykstra, making his Shakespeare Theatre debut. He has appeared in productions of The Seagull, Copenhagen and A View from the Bridge. In addition to being an actor, Dykstra is an HBO Def Poet and playwright. His play, A Play on Words, was recently produced at the Kitchen Theatre and 59E59 in New York City. His one man show, The Jesus Factor, has been seen across the country and is available on DVD. Dykstra and appeared in the feature film Freedomland.

Returning to The Shakespeare Theatre to play the role of Horace Giddens, Regina's ailing husband, is Bradford Cover. Cover has appeared on Broadway in A Thousand Clowns and off-Broadway in Tartuffe, Twelfth Night, and The Importance of Being Earnest. Regionally, he has appeared at theatres throughout the country including Syracuse Stage, Cleveland Playhouse, and Philadelphia Theatre Company. At McCarter Theatre, Cover appeared in the premiere of Lives of the Saints by David Ives.

Deanne Lorette makes her Shakespeare Theatre debut as Birdie, brother Oscar's wife. Lorette has appeared in productions at The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Cincinnati Playhouse, St. Louis Repertory, Syracuse Stage among others.

Lindsey Wochley, making her Shakespeare Theatre debut plays Regina's daughter Alexandra and Shakespeare Theatre veteran Fisher Neal plays Leo, Oscar's son. Rounding out the cast are Venida Evans as Addia, Ron Brice as Cal and Einar Gunn as William Marshall.

To purchase tickets or ticket packages and subscriptions, call the box office at 973-408-5600, email boxoffice@shakespearenj.org or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

 

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