Photo Flash: First Look at THE VELOCITY OF AUTUMN at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley closes its 2015/2016 season with the explosive new dramatic comedy, The Velocity of Autumn. This tender-hearted play by Eric Coble centers on an elderly artist locked in a volatile showdown with her family over where she'll spend her remaining years. In a wry, spirited quest to "not go gently" into a retirement home, Alexandra barricades herself in her brownstone with enough homemade Molotov cocktails to blow the entire block sky-high as she negotiates the terms of her future with a long-estranged son who has battles of his own. The Velocity of Autumn was declared "Wickedly funny and wonderfully touching" by Broadway World and "A tale that could resonate with a broad range of audiences as it touches on a sobering dilemma faced by families every day" by Variety. This production will be directed by Giovanna Sardelli with performances June 1-June 26 (press opening: June 4) at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View. For tickets ($19-$80) and information the public may visit www.TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

The 90-minute one-act play opened on Broadway in April 2014 after a run at Washington DC's Arena Theatre, with the New York Daily News noting, "there's a compelling and worthwhile story out there about an age-addled woman's battle to live out her life in her own home." Originally starring Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons and two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Spinella, it earned Parsons a Tony nomination for her role as Alexandra at the age of 86.

Susan Greenhill is making her TheatreWorks debut as Alexandra, the aging artist facing her next chapter. She has worked on many productions including The Clean House (Virginia) at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park where she earned an Acclaim Award, Sideman (Patsy) at the Florida Studio Theatre where she received a Barrymore Award, Next Fall (Arlene) at The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis garnered her a Kevin Kline Award nomination, and Becoming Dr. Ruth (Dr. Ruth) at the Florida Studio Theatre. Ms. Greenhill, a seasoned performer, has performed in many US theatres including the Slant Theatre Project in New York, the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and the Florida Studio Theatre, among many others.

TheatreWorks favorite Mark Anderson Phillips returns to play the role of Chris, Alexandra's long estranged son. TheatreWorks audiences will remember Mr. Phillips from Fallen Angels (Fred), Grapes of Wrath (Tom Joad),­­­­ which earned him the Bay Area Drama Critic's Circle Award, The Cripple of Inishmaan (BabbyBobby) winning him the Dean Goodman Choice Award, and Time Stands Still (James). He has also starred in The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus (Dr. Faustus) at San Jose Repertory Theatre and A Christmas Carol (Ebenezer Scrooge) at Center REPertory Company. Mr. Phillips has also performed with San Francisco Playhouse, Aurora Theatre Company, A Contemporary Theatre in Seattle, and the New York City and Edinburgh Fringe festivals.

Photos by Kevin Berne