BOOTH Comes To Morrisville At Actors' NET Of Bucks County 5/29-6/14

Booth, a compelling historical backstage tale by Austin Pendleton, ignites the Heritage Center Stage in Morrisville as the Actors' NET of Bucks County dramatizes the true story of Junius Booth, a tormented19th-century actor. His glory would be forgotten, yet son Edwin would win fame as a great actor while his other son, John Wilkes, would win infamy as Lincoln's assassin.

Running weekends May 29 to June 14, Booth stars NET veteran George Hartpence of New Hope as Junius, whose alcoholism prompts son Edwin to join him on the road. Edwin learns the craft from his father as Junius' ego and outrageous behavior spin more and more out of control. Tom Smith of Morrisville costars as Edwin. 

"'As the twig is bent, so grows the tree,' it's been observed," NET Artistic

Director Cheryl Doyle said. "Austin Pendleton's brilliant play shows us how the tortured genius who was Junius Booth could have sired one son who would eclipse him and another whose own battles with demons would compel him to alter world history with a single shot. To know the father is to understand the sons."

"We've communicated throughout the rehearsal process with playwright Austin Pendleton, whose play, Orson's Shadow, we recently produced," Ms. Doyle said. "An acclaimed actor himself, Mr. Pendleton authoritatively examines the creative process. He peels away the egos to reveal the frailties and fears of his subjects. George Hartpence's experience playing the title roles in such Shakespearean classics as Hamlet and Macbeth gives him incredible insight into the role of Junius Booth." 

"Junius Booth inspired both sons," she noted. "Edwin was the finest actor of his day. Little ‘Johnny' also followed in his father's footsteps. Historians recently confirmed Junius had threatened to kill President Andrew Jackson." 

Produced by Chuck Donnelly, Booth also stars Carol Thomson of New Hope as Junius' common-law wife and Ben Weinstein of Princeton as John Wilkes Booth. Also featured are David Swartz and Theresa Forsyth Swartz of Ambler, Susan Fowler of Newtown and Jack Bathke of Robbinsville, NJ. 

Booth performs at the Heritage Center, 635 N. Delmorr Avenue (Route 32), Morrisville - near the Calhoun Street Bridge. Show times are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m. Admission is $20 for adults, $17 for seniors and $10 for children under 13. Due to mature themes, parental guidance is advised. To reserve, call the nonprofit company at 215-295-3694 or email actorsnet@aol.com. Pre-purchased tickets are available on-line with credit card at www.brownpapertickets.com - at the site, search for "actorsnet." The company's web site is www.actorsnetbucks.org.

Photo: George Hartpence, Tom Smith, and Ben Weinstein

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