Mint Theater Extends PHILIP GOES FORTH Through 10/27

Mint Theater today announced their current production, Philip Goes Forth by George Kelly will extend one additional week, through October 27h. Jerry Ruiz (Love Goes to Press, Basilica) directs a cast that includes Cliff Bemis, Teddy Bergman, Bernardo Cubria, Carole Healey, Christine Toy Johnson, Kathryn Kates, Natalie Kuhn, BrIan MacDonald, Jennifer McVey and Rachel Moulton. Opening Night is set for Sunday September 22nd at Mint's home (311 West 43rd Street).

Philip Goes Forth tells the story of a young man who rebels against his father and a career in the family business. He leaves home and ventures to New York to write plays without his father's support or blessing, but with this warning: "Don't imagine, whenever you get tired floating around up there in the clouds that you can drop right back into your place down here - that isn't the way things go!" George Kelly's comedy made its debut at Broadway's Biltmore Theater in January of 1931. New York was the city of dreams - and Kelly's humorous examination of one young dreamer remains an exquisite portrait of coming-of-age in modern America. "Nothing MR. Kelly has written is lacking in distinction and Philip Goes Forth is no exception," wrote Robert Garland in the New York World-Telegram calling the play a "gripping character study-human, unhurried and gently edged with satire." Arthur Ruhl of the Herald-Tribune echoed the praise, calling the play, a "deft piece of work...an evening full of delightful humor and light satire." Commending Kelly's rhythmic, witty dialogue, the New York American wrote, "he laps thick, rich conversational cream." Philip Goes Forth is "George Kelly at his best," writes Outlook, "which ought to be good enough for anybody."

Coming up October 21st, for one night only: The Mint will present George Kelly's The Fatal Weakness as part of the "Further Readings" series, followed by a post-show talk with Foster Hirsch, author of George Kelly. The Fatal Weakness, Kelly's last produced play, is a wise and witty adult comedy about the complications of married life. Even after 28 years of marriage, Mrs. Espenshade is an incurable romantic (her fatal weakness). Perhaps discovering that her husband is a lying cheat will cure her? The Fatal Weakness opened in New York on November 19th, 1946 in a production by the legendary Theatre Guild featuring the triumphant stage return of Ina Claire, after a five year absence from Broadway. Although her delightful star turn garnered most of the attention from the press, Kelly's unique comedy turned more than a few critics' heads. "One of Kelly's best. It reveals keen understanding of character-an evening of genuine quality." wrote Ward Morehouse in The New York Sun. Sydney J. Harris of The Chicago Tribune echoed the praise, citing Kelly's "rare humor and keen, sardonic appreciation of the vagaries of female conduct." Richard Watts Jr. of the New York Post called The Fatal Weakness "so fresh in its observations, three-dimensional in its characters and human in its humor that it emerges as the first important new comedy of the season." The play went on to be hailed "Best New Comedy" by George Jean Nathan's Honor List in Theatre Book of the Year, 1946-1947. In 1976, The Fatal Weakness was revived as a vehicle for Academy-Award winner, Eva Marie Saint, who said the role of Mrs. Espenshade was one of her all-time favorites. The play was filmed for PBS' "Hollywood Television Theater" that year, and featured an interview with Princess Grace Kelly, who discussed her uncle's work. Join us for dinner prior to the reading featuring special guest speaker Foster Hirsch, author of a critical biography of George Kelly. The Fatal Weakness is "a lovely and gracious swan song," writes Hirsch, "a delight for those attuned to the Kelly pace and tone. This play is the most urbane and gracious achievement of a singular playwright." Tickets for The Fatal Weakness are $25 and are available by calling the Mint box office toll-free at 866-811-4111 or go to www.minttheater.org/Special Events

"The Mint does for forgotten drama what the Encores! series does for musicals, on far more modest means" (The New York Times). The Mint was awarded an OBIE for "combining the excitement of discovery with the richness of tradition," and a special Drama Desk Award for "unearthing, presenting and preserving forgotten plays of merit." Ben Brantley, in The New York Times Arts & Leisure hailed the Mint as the "resurrectionist extraordinaire of forgotten plays."

Performances are Tuesday through Thursday at 7 PM, Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 PM & 8 PM, and Sunday at 2 PM. Special added matinee performances on October 2nd and 9th at 2pm. Tickets are $55 with some half-price tickets (CheapTix) available for most performances. Performances take place on the Third Floor of 311 West 43rd Street.

Photo Credit: Rahav Segev/Photopass.com

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