Les Liaisons Dangereuses was adapted by Christopher Hampton in 1985 from an epistolary novel of the same title by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, 1782. Although an army general and never before a writer, it has been said de Laclos intended to (in his own words), "write a work which departed from the ordinary, which made a noise, and which would remain on earth after [his] death". It is universally agreed he achieved his ambitions with his masterpiece, Liaisons.
Liaisons in turn, is commonly thought to have been inspired by the work of Samuel Richardson, an Englishman; specifically, by Clarissa(1748). Both epistolary novels, both reach from the heights of virtuous, true love, to the temptations and disasters of the most decadent immorality. However, at the forefront of Clarissa is the good judgment of its angelic heroine in the face of relentless cruelty... whereasLiaisons offers the justifications of immoral minds hard at work, corrupting innocence.
Liaisons was thought once to be as scandalous as the infamous Marquise de Sade, and remains as memorable still, in large part through the 1985 adaptation of Christopher Hampton; winning the Olivier for Best Play, the Tony Nomination for Best Play, the Academy Award nomination for 4 categories including Best Picture, and won the Award for 3 categories, including Best Writing.
Liaisons returns to Broadway this October - January. New Fortune is elated to be presenting the San Diego professional premiere.
Seduction and intrigue run rampant among the aristocracy of 1780s France. No one is better at 'the Game' of love, revenge, betrayal and cruelty than the Viscount de Valmont and the Marquise de Merteuil.
Valmont has set his heart on seducing Madame de Tourvel, famous for her virtue and happy marriage. Merteuil has set her heart set on Valmont corrupting Cecile, a young girl just out of the convent, and destined to be the bride of Merteuil's hated former lover. Cecile has set her heart on the young chevalier Danceny, and his heart is set on her...
With so many hearts set at odds with each other, it's impossible some shouldn't break.
PRODUCTION TEAM
Adapted by Christopher Hampton, from the novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos
Directed by Richard Baird & Kaitlin O'Neal
Artistic Director: Richard Baird
Executive Director: Amanda Schaar
Production Manager: Justin Lang
Set: Ted Crittenden
Costumes: Howard Schmidt
Stage Manager: Jon Huckaby
Assistant Stage Manager: Crystal Brandan
CAST
Valmont: Richard Baird*
Merteuil: Jessica John Gerke
Tourvel: Amanda Schaar
Azolan: Justin Lang
Cecile: Gentry Roth
Danceny: Connor Sullivan
Volanges: Terril Miller
Rosemonde: Dagmar Fields
Majordomo: Neil MacDonald
Footman: Christopher Torborg
Maid: Crystal Brandan
*indicates member of the Actors' Equity Association
PRODUCTION DETAILS
WHEN: PREVIEWS January 10-13
CLOSES January 28
Wednesdays 7:00PM
Thursdays 8:00PM
Fridays 8:00PM
Saturdays 2:00PM & 8:00PM
Sundays 2:00PM
Note: There is one (1) Tuesday performance, first preview, January 10th at 7PM.
WHERE: The Lyceum Space, 79 Horton Plaza, San Diego 92101
TICKETS: Tickets available through the Lyceum Box Office at 619.544.1000, or, www.lyceumevents.org
Tickets range from $20-$47.
For every performance:
Student/Military/Educator: $20 in standard seating.
Previews:
Adult: $40 Premiere, $35 Standard
Senior: $35 Premiere, $30 Standard
Regular Run:
Adults: $47 Premiere, $42 Standard
Senior: $42 Premiere, $37 Standard
More information available at www.newfortunetheatre.com
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