Hampton Theatre to Present BLACK TIE 5/24-6/10 - New Play by A.R. Gurney

A comedic clash of cultures and generations threatens to unravel what seems at first blush to be a traditional WASP wedding when the Hampton Theatre Company opens A.R. Gurney's new play, "Black Tie," on May 24. "Black Tie" will be performed at the Quogue Community Hall Thursdays through Sundays for three weeks, from May 24 through June 10.

The cast of five combines well-known company veterans with talented newcomers to the HTC stage. Andrew Botsford, fresh from his portrayal of Sidney Bruhl in the HTC's acclaimed production of "Deathtrap," plays Curtis, the father of the groom, caught between two generations and stymied by attitudes changing too rapidly for him to keep pace. The HTC introduces New York actor Cyrus Newitt to local audiences as the ghost of Curtis's father, who returns to help his son be the perfect host, according to the unwritten "rules" of WASP protocol.

Rosemary Cline, also fresh from her appearance as Myra Bruhl in "Deathtrap," plays Curtis's wife, Mimi, a more evolved member of the WASP clan who tries, with grace and good cheer, to help her husband embrace a brave new multicultural world. Christopher Scheer, a Mattituck native who made many appearances with the North Fork Community Theater as a child, makes his HTC debut as the panicked and confused groom, Teddy. Sydney Schwindt, who made her debut with the company in "Becky's New Car," plays Teddy's sister, Elsie, joining her mother in the effort to bring Curtis out of his father's shadow and into the present.

"Black Tie" will be presented on Thursdays at 7, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2:30. Ticket prices are $25 for adults, $23 for seniors (except Saturdays) and $10 for students under 21. For further information or to make reservations, visit the Hampton Theatre Company website, www.hamptontheatre.org, call OvationTix at 1-866-811-4111, or call the Hampton Theatre Company at 631-653-8955.