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CHESTER -- Jeffrey Hatcher, one of America's most admired contemporary playwrights, has taken The Turn of the Screw, Henry James' provocative tale of suspense, horror and repressed sexuality and added a turn of his own. The New York Times marveled at his "Dazzling act of imagination," adding, "Mr. Hatcher has pushed James' clever turn to its furthest degree."
The third installment in Chester Theatre Company's Classic Stories/Contemporary Voices Season, The Turn of the Screw opens August 3 and plays through August 14. Performances are Weds-Sun at 8pm with matinees Thurs and Sun at 2pm. Tickets are available on CTC's website: www.chestertheatre.org or by calling 800-595-4TIX. Tickets are $28-$33; call 413-354-7771 for group rates.
The Classic Stories/Contemporary Voices Season, according CTC Artistic Director Byam Stevens, celebrates the art of adaptation: "The classics continue to inspire the writers of today, so we're presenting a season of classic works re-imagined by contemporary American playwrights. Our audience will get something familiar -- masterpieces by Dostoyevsky, Shakespeare, Jane Austen, Henry James, Christopher Marlowe -- and something new -- exciting, fresh versions from today's best writers."
THE PLAY
When a young governess is dispatched to a remote house in the British countryside, little does she know of her predecessor's tragic fate. And if she did, little would she imagine that the ghost of that predecessor now haunts the premises. Jeffrey Hatcher's "clever turn" is a spellbinding coup-de theatre - in this adaptation for 2 actors, all the characters that interact with the governess, (male, female, young, old, animal, even inanimate objects) are played by one actor. This device asks an intriguing question of the audience: "Are the ghosts that plague the governess real or the product of her fevered imagination?" Whatever the answer, the result is a compelling psychological thriller that redefines what it means to be haunted.
Jeffrey Hatcher's plays have been produced on Broadway, and around the world. They include: Three Viewings, A Picasso, Scotland Road, and Compleat Female Stage Beauty, as well as adaptations of The Government Inspector, Dr. Jeckll and Mr. Hyde, and Tuesdays With Morrie (with Mitch Albom). His film and television work includes: Casanova and episodes of Columbo.
THE ARTISTS
The cast features Allison McLemore as the Woman and Justin Campbell as The Man. Set Design by Travis George, Lighting Design by Jill Nagle Costume Design by Arthur Oliver, Sound Design by David Wiggall.
Allison McLemore (The Woman) is a favorite with CTC audiences, having spent the summer of 2010 playing May in . Her portrayal of Eliza Doolittle in won her a Denver Post Ovation Award. Other credits include: at The Mint Theatre Company; at The Pioneer Theatre Company; at The Olney Theatre; at Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival; and at Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre; and at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park. .
Justin Campbell (The Man) played a featured role in best Film Oscar winnerLocker and a long running stint as Frankie in. He has worked with many of the world's most eminent theatre directors including: Andrei Serban ( at New York's Public Theater, Karin Coonrod (), Liviu Ciulei (, and Robert Woodruff (; At American Repertory Theater he played Peter in and appeared in and.
This is Director Daniel Elihu Kramer's second directing assignment at CTC, following , the third installment in last season's . Recent awards include an Elliott Norton Award for Outstanding Production for at Boston Theatre Works, and Critics Circle awards for Best Production and Best Direction for at the Contemporary American Theatre Company. Daniel is an Artistic Associate at CTC and a member of the theatre faculty at Smith College.
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