Dakin Matthews, Shirley Knight Head Stellar Cast for “A Great Wilderness”

Actor Dakin MatthewsA stellar cast of veteran actors, with Dakin Matthews in the lead role, supported by Emmy and Tony winner Shirley Knight, perform a new play by Samuel D. Hunter at the 32^nd annual William Inge Theatre Festival, at Independence, Kansas.

Matthews and Knight are joined by professional colleagues John Herzog, Mari Nelson, Elaine Rivkin, and Alan Safier, with newcomer Cameron Lopez, in a concert reading Thursday May 2.  Curtain time is 7:30 p.m. at the William Inge Theatre at Independence Community College.

Samuel D. Hunter, one of the hottest young playwrights in America, will be present to receive the Otis L. Guernsey New Voices in the American Theatre Award.  Hunter is the Inge Festival’s 21^st winner of the New Voices Playwriting Award, named for the late theater scholar.  Guernsey was a frequent Inge Festival attendee and a champion of new plays. Former New Voices winner, and Kansas native James Still will present Hunter with the award.

“A Great Wilderness” centers on Walter (Dakin Matthews), who has spent his life counseling teenage Christian boys whose parents fear their sons have homosexual tendencies.  When a teenager arrives at a fellowship camp in the Idaho wilderness, Walter has a crisis of faith.

Actor Shirley KnightShirley Knight portrays Walter’s ex-wife.  John Herzog plays her current husband and Walter’s former protégé.  Mari Nelson plays the boys’ mother, called when the teen goes missing, and Elaine Rivkin is the forest ranger heading the search.  Kansas actor Cameron Lopez portrays the teenager, with Alan Safier adding key voice overs. Braden Abraham, associate artistic director of Seattle Repertory Theatre, directs.

Matthews has appeared in more than 20 feature films and numerous television series, perhaps most prominently in “The Jeff Foxworthy Show” in the role of Elliott, and starring roles in “Down Home” and “Soul Man.”  His many series guest star turns include “The King of Queens” (as the father of the Kevin James character) and “Desperate Housewives” (as the Rev. Sykes.).  His feature films include, most recently, playing Sec. of Interior Usher in “Lincoln.”

Matthews is a sought-after stage actor, with over 250 productions, appearing in recent seasons at South Coast Rep and Center Theatre Group in California and the Lincoln Center Theatre and Shakespeare in the Park in New York.

Matthews is also a playwright, director, and theater scholar who has published books and articles on Shakespeare and translations of 17th-century Spanish theater, and has also instructed at the Julliard School of Drama.

Shirley Knight’s new film “Redwood Highway” opened at the Ashland Oregon film festival in April.  Her Steven King film “Mercy” will open later in 2013. Miss Knight began as a contract player at Warner Brothers studios in 1958. After receiving two Oscar nominations for William Inge’s “The Dark at the Top of the Stairs” and Tennessee Williams “Sweet Bird of Youth,” Miss Knight has rarely been out of work as an actress. She has achieved the highest honors in cinema, theatre, and television including a Tony Award (two nominations), Three Emmy’s (10 nominations) Two Golden Globes (3 nominations), Best Actress at the Venice film festival, and others.

Mari Nelson began her professional career in The New York Shakespeare Festival production of “Twelfth Night” in Central Park. Her Broadway credits include: “Six Degrees of Separation,” “Guys and Dolls” and “Translations.”  Her many regional stage appearances include: Alley Theater, Houston; Center Stage, Baltimore; Hartford Stage; Intiman of Seattle; and Seattle Repertory Theater.  She likewise has numerous film and television credits.

At the 2006 Inge Festival, John Herzog portrayed William Inge in the play “Touched,” by Marcia Cebulska.  Since then, he has been busy performing in “Art” at the Laguna Playhouse; “Ghosts,” “Wit,” “The Tempest,” “Henry IV Part I,” and “King of the Moon” at North Coast Repertory Theatre; “The Winter’s Tale” and “Comedy of Errors” at Kingsmen Shakespeare, and a dozen or more staged readings.

Elaine Rivkin is in her second Inge Festival, appearing in 2012 in Catherine Trieschmann’s “The Most Deserving.”  Her activities since include playing Sarah in Pinter’s “The Lover” at North Coast Rep and Mrs. Clandon in Shaw’s “You Never Can Tell” at Remy Bumppo Theater.  Rivkin has acted professionally in Chicago since 1985.  Her Chicago credits include shows at Steppenwolf Theater, Victory Gardens Theater, and the ten-year run of “Hellcab” at Famous Door Theatre.

Alan Safier is in his fifth successful season as George Burns in the one-man play “Say Goodnight, Gracie.”  He has done hundreds of voice-overs (most famously as the Kibbles ’n Bits dog) and his CD, “Alan Safier Sings the Songs of George & Gracie’s Heyday” (an album of standards from the ’30s and ’40s) was released in 2011. Last year he premiered “Humbug!” a one-actor musical version of “A Christmas Carol,” by Michel Legrand and former Inge honoree Sheldon Harnick.  He plans to debut a new one-man show, a take-off on “Downton Abbey” during the 2013–14 season.

The part of the teenager is played by Cameron Lopez, a student at Neodesha High School in Neodesha, Kansas, a small town 12 miles north of Independence.  Lopez has appeared in a large number of regional plays and performances as well as speech and debate events.

Tickets for “A Great Wilderness” are $25 for premier seating and $15 for reserved seating.

Tickets for those and all Inge Festival events are available online at www.ingefestival.org or by calling (620) 332-5491.

The Inge Festival and Inge Center are sponsored by Independence Community College, William Inge’s alma mater.  The William Inge Center for the Arts is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American theatre.

This program is presented in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes a great nation deserves great art.

Further major supporters of the William Inge Center for the Arts include Independence Community College, Independence Chamber of Commerce and the William Inge Festival Foundation.

Independence, Kansas, is located 90 miles north of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and 140 miles south of Kansas City, Missouri.

Shirley Knight to return to Independence for Inge Festival

Actress Shirley KnightThe celebrated actress Shirley Knight—who has achieved the highest honors in film, television, and theatre—returns to her native Kansas to perform a the 32^nd annual William Inge Theatre Festival. 

Shirley Knight takes the stage in featured roles in the Thursday, May 2, presentation of “A Great Wilderness,” and again on Saturday, May 4, in the finale Tribute “Farther Off From Heaven,” a salute to William Inge’s legacy.

There have been many memorable performers in the film versions of William Inge plays, but a list of the most enjoyable will have to include Shirley Knight in “The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.”  Knight earned the first of her two Academy Award nominations for the portrayal of the withdrawn Reenie—a character that Inge patterned after his younger sister.

After receiving the second of her two Oscar Nominations for “Sweet Bird of Youth,” she has never been out of work as an actress.  Her recognition includes a Tony Award (and two additional nominations), three Emmys (ten nominations), two Golden Globes (three nominations) and Best Actress award at the Venice Film Festial.

Her new film—“Redwood Highway”-opens at the Ashland Oregon film festival.  Her Steven King film “Mercy will open later in 2013.”

Tickets to see Miss Knight in “A Great Wilderness” are $25 for premier seating and $15 for reserved.  “Farther Off From Heaven” tickets are also priced at $25 and $15.  The curtain time for both productions is 7:30 p.m., both at the William Inge Theatre at Independence www.shirleyknight.net for further information on her career.

Reservations due April 23 for Inge Festival Gala Dinner, Silent Auction and Musical Revue

MC Attorney General Derrick Schmidt and 2012 Honoree, David Henry HwangAn outstanding evening of musical theater performances—highlighted with songs by Broadway and Hollywood stars—takes stage at the William Inge Theatre Festival Gala Dinner Friday, May 3 (which happens to be William Inge’s 100^th Birthday).

Reservations are required by Tuesday, April 23.  Tickets are $45, which includes a gourmet meal as well as the Broadway entertainment.  Make reservations by calling (620) 332-5491, or visiting www.ingefestival.org.  The event is a fund-raiser for the William Inge Festival Foundation, for continuing renovations of the historic William Inge Family Home.

Singing will be professional guest artists who part of the Inge Festival all week long.  Among the guest artists is Kansas native Shirley Knight.

Born in the tiny central Kansas town of Lyons, she has been acting in the cinema, theatre, and television since 1958.  Knight has received many acting awards and honors, including Tony's. Emmy's, Golden Globes, two Oscar nominations, the best actress at the Venice film festival, the Critics Prize at Cannes etc.  Her first Oscar nomination was for the role of Reenie in the film version of William Inge’s “The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.”  Her film “Mercy,” (Steven King) will open this fall.

At the Gala, she will be singing a song from William Inge’s personal and extensive collection of music of all genres, which are archived in the William Inge Collection at Independence Community College.

Patrons will also hear songs from Elizabeth Wilson, Barbara Dana, John Herzog, and Alan Safier.  Wilson is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame, whose long and successful career includes the original film version of “Picnic.”  Dana is also a multi-talented performer, with several Broadway shows and numerous television and film appearances.  One of her Broadway productions is in William Inge’s “A Loss of Roses.”

Safier is in his ninth year as a Guest Artist at the Inge Festival.  He is in his fourth season of playing to sold-out houses, portraying George Burns in his one-man play “Say Goodnight Gracie.”  He is developing “Humbug!” a one-actor musical version of “A Christmas Carol,” with music and lyrics by Michel Legrand and Sheldon Harnick.  Further entertainers will be announced.

Herzog appeared in the original production of “Hair” on Broadway and played the lead in the national tour.  His extensive theatre credits include playing Doc in “Come Back, Little Sheba,” and portraying William Inge in “Touched: The Last 2,000 Heartbeats of William Inge” at the Inge Festival’s 25^th Anniversary.

The show is helmed by Luke Yankee, a director, producer, writer and actor.  His book “Just Outside the Spotlight” is published by Back Stage Books, with a foreword by Mary Tyler Moore.  His newest play, “The Jesus Hickey,” won the TRU Voices Award and the Joel & Phyllis Ehrlich Award, given for “a commercially viable, socially relevant new work of theatre.”   He directed the world premiere of the show in Los Angeles, starring Harry Hamlin.

Musical direction is provided by Paul Baker, a renowned musician who joins the Inge Festival for the 11^th time.  His many awards include the 8th Annual Independent Music Award for Best New Age Album ("The Quiet Path") and Best New Age Song ("Heart's Gate").  He continues to play for many national tours and concerts in the Los Angeles area.

The emcee is Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt.  As state senator, AG Schmidt led the Kansas legislature to proclaim as the Inge Festival as the Official Theatre Festival of the State of Kansas.

Schmidt sponsored SB1, which led the legislature to issue the proclamation, an effort also supported by Rep. Jeff King.

Patrons will also have the chance to bid on rare theatrical memorabilia at the Silent Auction, including historic move posters of Inge plays and books and scripts autographed by previous Inge Festival honorees.

The Gala Dinner will be at the Independence Civic Center, with cocktails at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m., and followed by the musical entertainment from Broadway performers.

The Inge Festival and Inge Center are sponsored by Independence Community College, William Inge’s alma mater.  The William Inge Center for the Arts is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American theatre.

This program is presented in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes a great nation deserves great art.

Further major supporters of the William Inge Center for the Arts include Independence Community College and the William Inge Festival Foundation.

William Inge Theatre Festival Opens Inge’s Centennial with “Bus Stop”

Director Erma DurickoIt’s hard to say which classic Inge play is most appropriate to open the William Inge Theatre Festival in the Centennial year of his birth, but perhaps there is no better choice than Inge’s enduring romantic comedy “Bus Stop.”

A fully staged production rings in the 32^nd Annual Inge Festival, at the Independence High School Performing Arts Center, Independence, Kansas, on Wednesday, May 1.

In the story—perhaps most familiar to audiences from the 1955 film version that starred Marilyn Monroe—a blizzard forces bus passengers to shelter at a diner in a small Kansas town  “This story is about love, in all its many forms. It has everything.  It is very funny, yet also filled with pathos and incredible human insight and understanding.   There is a tremendous subtlety in all of William Inge’s characters,” said Inge Center artistic director Peter Ellenstein.  “The beauty is how Inge portrays ordinary people from small towns with such nuance and empathy.  We have a wonderful New York director, Erma Duricko, and a remarkable cast.”

The director is Erma Duricko, founder and Artistic Director of Blue Roses Productions, Inc., and Artistic Associate for Circle East Inc. Off-Broadway.  She has directed at numerous New York theater companies, as well as regionally.   Duricko has received drama critic awards for outstanding direction, a Cervantes Grant, a Meredith Harless Visiting Artist Endowment, and is the recipient of the Tennessee Williams Award.

The pivotal role of Dr. Lyman is portrayed by veteran New York-based actor George R. Sheffey, with numerous work on stage, television, and film. The latter include “Boardwalk Empire,” “The Bronx is Burning,” “Blue Bloods,” and several “Law and Order” series, among many more.  He is a member of several New York theater companies, where he frequently performs.

Joseph Gomez is the guitar-strumming cowboy Virgil.  Gomez is a frequent Inge Center guest artist.  He has appeared in numerous readings over the years, one of which led him to Rattlestick Theatre to perform in “That Pretty Pretty, or, The Rape Play,” by Shelia Callaghan.  Regionally, he has performed with the Arkansas Rep, St. Louis Rep and Ad-Libs of Dallas.  He resides in Tulsa, where he works closely with the Nightingale Theater, as a writer and performer.

New York-based actress Sarah Shaefer portrays the “chanteuse” Cherie; her love-sick opposite Bo is played by Independence Community College graduate Asa Walker.

Shaefer is an actor and a writer.  Recent theater credits include “Follow” (dir. Daniel Talbott), “Bring a Weasel and a Pint of Your Own Blood” (dir. Jose Zayas).  She has appeared in work at the New York Theatre Workshop, LAByrinth Company, and Classic Stage Company, among many more.  As a playwright, her play, “The Gin Baby,” will be produced this Fall 2013.

Walker is a California-based actor, born and raised near Cherryvale, in rural Kansas.  He trained at the William Inge Theatre Program at Independence Community College, home of the Inge Festival, and appeared in many performances and professional play development readings the Inge Center.

Lisa C. Wilson portrays Grace, the diner’s owner.  Wilson has made Oklahoma her home for the past 31 years, having acted in more than 100 plays and directed more than 50.  She holds an MFA in Acting from the University of Wisconsin and BFA from Memphis State University.

Independence-based actors are Tess Mortensen, who plays Elma, the young waitress at the diner; and Dean Hayse and Zach Webb, who play Will, the sheriff, and Carl, the bus driver.  All have appeared on area and regional stages, including Inge Center events.

“Bus Stop” takes place 7:30 p.m. at the Independence High School Performing Arts Center.  Reserved tickets are $15 and premium seating is $25 and is available online at www.ingefestival.org.

Pierre Vuilleumier is set designer, James Leaming lighting designer, Douglas Spesert costume designer, Daniel Warneke sound designer, and Esquire Jauchem, effects designer.

The Inge Festival is named for the late William Inge, an Independence native who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (“Picnic”) and Oscar for Best Screenplay (“Splendor in the Grass.”)

Major funders of the Inge Center are the National Endowment for the Arts, the William Inge Festival Foundation, the Independence Chamber of Commerce, and Independence Community College; the Inge Center’s host and chief sponsor.

Gala Dinner Music Celebrates William Inge’s Legacy

Hannah Joyce-Hoven with the ICC Choir at the 2012 GalaThe great American writer William Inge’s many scripts for stage, television and screen plays did not include any musicals, but the Pulitzer Prize and Oscar-winning dramatist certainly loved music of all kinds.

So the entertainment for the Gala Dinner at the 32^nd Annual William Inge Theatre Festival at Independence Community College is easy to program—the popular event will feature favorite selections from William Inge’s vast personal library of record albums, to be delivered by talented guest artists.

The annual William Inge Theatre Festival Gala Dinner and Silent Auction takes place Friday, May 3, at the Independence Civic Center.  Tickets include a delicious gourmet dinner in addition to professional entertainment in celebration of the centennial of William Inge’s birth—Independence’s accomplished native son was born May 3, 1913!

Tickets are $45 and can be purchased online or by calling (620) 332-5491.   They may also be purchased in person at the Inge Center Box Office at ICC, Fine Arts Building, Room 107, from 1 to 5 p.m. weekdays.  Tickets for the Gala Dinner and Silent Auction must be reserved by April 19.

“It is well-known Inge had an eye for excellent art, and was a fine sketcher himself,” said Inge Center artistic director Peter Ellenstein.  “Not as many people know he was an avowed music-lover whose collection of wonderful music ranged from show tunes to opera to jazz to symphonies.

“His record library is housed in the William Inge Collection at ICC and provides a list of outstanding music to choose from for the Gala Dinner.  It will be a beautiful evening of celebration and remembrance.” he said.

The performers are drawn from visiting guest artists, from Broadway to Hollywood, and favorite local and regional performers.  Kansas State Attorney General Derek Smith is the evening’s master of ceremonies.  Award winning Musical Director Paul Baker will be at the keyboard.

The Gala Dinner and Silent Auction is a fund-raiser for further renovations of the historic William Inge Boyhood Home, which is used as a residence for guest artists.  The Silent Auction will feature unique and valuable theatre memorabilia collected and donated from denizens of Broadway in support of the Inge Festival’s work.

The William Inge Theatre Festival is the Official Theatre Festival of the State of Kansas.  It runs May 1-4, 2013.  The opening night is a full-scale production of “Bus Stop.”  It is followed May 2 by a concert reading of a new play by Samuel D. Hunter, the Otis Guernsey New Voices playwriting winner.

The Gala Dinner and Silent auction is followed on May 4 by a multi-media Tribute to the legacy of William Inge.

Throughout the Inge Festival, numerous guest professional artists not only perform, but conduct workshops and panels.  Events include scenes from Inge plays at various sites in Independence.

 The Inge Festival and Inge Center are sponsored by Independence Community College, William Inge’s alma mater.  The William Inge Center for the Arts is a constituent member of Theatre Communications Group, the national organization for the American theatre.

This program is presented in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency, which believes a great nation deserves great art.

Further major supporters of the William Inge Center for the Arts include Independence Community College and the William Inge Festival Foundation.

Independence, Kansas, is located 90 miles north of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and 140 miles south of Kansas City, Missouri.