Walnut Street Theatre Presents The World Premiere Of THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY
By: Gabrielle Sierra Dec. 15, 2009
The Walnut Street Theatre continues its landmark 201st season with the World Premiere of Eric Conger's THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY. In the course of its history, the Walnut has played host to an untold number of world premieres. Among the most well known of these are A Streetcar Named Desire, A Raisin in the Sun and The Diary of Anne Frank. Now, as the Walnut enters its third century of producing live theatre, that tradition continues with THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY. Directed by Ed Herendeen, this all-new production begins previews on January 19th, opens on January 27th and runs through March 7th on the WST Mainstage.
It is early November, 1963. On a University campus somewhere in New England, the members of THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY are caught up in a whirlwind of social change. Sure, there are still Homecoming games to be won and pranks to be pulled on the incoming pledges, but things start to change with the arrival of Darrell Freeman (J. Alex Brinson). A scholarship winner from the ghettos of Cleveland, Darrell doesn't exactly fit the mold of membership. In other words: he comes from the wrong side of the tracks, and he's black. As the second African-American admitted to the Society (after three-sport athlete Floyd Wiggins, played by Carl Clemons-Hopkins), Darrell has his own hurdles to clear as he is welcomed by some with open arms...but not everyone. What follows is a complex and riveting story flowing from laughter and humor to gut-wrenching drama and back again. In the end, new friendships are formed and others destroyed as 125 years of "traditional thinking" comes in direct conflict with a brave new world.
Author Eric Conger has translated works of Molieré and Feydeau, but THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY is his first original work. A graduate of Wesleyan University and the University of Paris, Mr. Conger appeared on the Walnut stage in 1985 as Oliver in As You Like It, and has appeared in dozens of productions nationwide. He works as a voice actor and narrator of audiobooks from his studio in Weehawken, NJ.
At the helm of this production is Director Ed Herendeen. THE ECLECTIC SOCIETY marks Mr. Herendeen's debut at the Walnut. Through his leadership the Contemporary American Theater Festival in West Virginia (which he founded in 1991) has produced 23 World Premieres and commissioned 7 new plays, gaining a reputation as one of America's most important producers of new work. In addition to CATF, Ed has worked in a variety of regional theaters including The Milwaukee Repertory, The Missouri Repertory, The Old Globe, The Lyceum Theater, and The Williamstown Theatre Festival. Ed has also served on the 2002 admissions committee at New Dramatists, NYC and as a panelist for the NEA.
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