Award-winning Theatre Aspen is thrilled to announce that its summer repertory season will feature the actress Sandy Duncan, in Steven Dietz's comedy Becky's New Car. Duncan will work alongside her son Jeffrey Correia, who will essay the role of her son in the play. The comedy opens June 24th and is followed by the beloved Martin Charnin and Charles Strouse musical ANNIE, (July 7 - Aug 20) and the new musical VICES: A Love Story (July 28 - Aug 20), by Michael Heitzman, Ilene Reid, Susan Draus and Everett Bradley. Marjorie Mae Treger will direct ANNIE and VICES will be directed by Amanda Dehnert. Casting is underway.
A multiple Tony Awardâ nominee, Duncan is renowned for her definitive portrayal of Peter in Broadway's Peter Pan. She also appeared on Broadway as Roxie Hart in the Tony Awardâ-winning hit musical Chicago, as well as in My One and Only, The Boyfriend and Canterbury Tales, for which she received her first Tonyâ nomination. Duncan's film and television career is also extensive. She starred in several TV shows, including "The
Sandy Duncan Show" and "The Hogan Family," as well as the critically acclaimed mini-series "Roots."
Artistic Director
Paige Price said, "I've hoped to get Sandy out here to do a play for awhile now. That we also get Jeff is simply fantastic. We wanted to open our new theatre with a genuine event, and with Sandy and Jeff in this wildly funny play, we have it." The two have worked together before, in the
Tennessee Williams family drama The Glass Menagerie. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review said, "Duncan is at her best in scenes where she spars and spats with son...It's here that Williams' play comes to life as Duncan and Correia collide and connect."
Becky's New Car will be the first production in the theatre's new facility. A capital campaign was launched in the fall, with a generous gift by Bob and Soledad Hurst. The new Hurst Theatre will be unveiled as part of a long-planned renovation to the Rio Grande Park, by the City of Aspen Parks Department. The theatre has been a cherished feature of the park since 1989.
Becky's New Car will be directed by Kate Powers, a Fulbright Scholar who has directed plays all over the US and Great Britain and worked alongside five-time Tonyâ nominee director
David Leveaux on the Broadway production of Electra. She is a Drama League Directing Fellow and is known for her facility with Shakespearean plays and texts. Currently, she also teaches and directs under the auspices of Rehabilitation Through The Arts (RTA), at Sing Sing Correctional Facility in New York. Stage Manager will be Rebecca Monroe.
Theatre Aspen was awarded the "Outstanding Regional Theatre" Henry Award in Denver in 2009 and
Alison Luff won a Best Supporting Actress Denver Post Ovation Award for her work as Olive in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. 2010 Ovation nominees included
Joan Hess (Best Actress), for her work in Same Time, Next Year and
Beth Malone (Best Supporting Actress), for her role in The Marvelous Wonderettes.
Productions take place in the Hurst Theatre in Rio Grande Park and will be underwritten by season sponsor American National Bank, with the generous support of The City of Aspen, Hays Private Client, Three Forks Ranch and Spa, Brenda and Jim Grusecki, the KNU Foundation, Soledad and Bob Hurst, The Aspen Club and Spa and Les Dames d'Aspen.
Theatre Aspen School summer classes and theatre workshops will be announced at the end of February.
For further information contact Theatre Aspen at 970-925-9313 x2.
www.theatreaspen.org
