We are excited to announce a new play reading series -- StAGEd Intent -- under the tent at Ivoryton Playhouse. We will present four readings of plays by and for the Boomer generation.
The readings will be on Friday afternoons June 9, July 14, Aug. 18 and Sept. 8 at 2 pm under the tent at Ivoryton Playhouse in Connecticut. Refreshments and a Q&A will follow. In the event of inclement weather, the reading will be presented indoors.
First Up:
Friday, June 9, 2023
In the Bleak Midwinter written and directed by Dorothy Lyman.
This poignant family drama tells the story of Elizabeth Gladstone (played by Lyman), a recent widow, who wishes to stay on the family dairy farm, but her daughter and son-in-law have other plans. Ultimately, three generations of women meet on the farm in Upstate New York over a President’s Day weekend to decide the fate of their matriarch.
Dorothy Lyman (Playwright, Actor, Director) is a two-time Emmy© Award-winner for her work as Opal Gardner on “All My Children” and is widely known for her co-starring role on “Mama’s Family,” alongside Vicki Lawrence and Carol Burnett. In addition to her numerous film and television appearances, Ms. Lyman also directed 75 episodes of Fran Drescher’s sitcom “The Nanny.” Her other plays are Enemy (an adaptation of Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People), A Rage in Tenure and Soft Landing (directed by John Tillinger) were all developed and produced by Players Workshop in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. In The Bleak Midwinter was produced in New York City and Westchester in 2019. We Have To Hurry (the sequel to In the Bleak Midwinter), starring Elliott Gould, Kathleen Chalfant and Alfred Molina, was produced on ZOOM during the pandemic. Ms. Lyman’s directing career began in 1980 when she produced and directed the original off-Broadway production of A Coupla White Chicks Sitting Around Talking starring Susan Sarandon and Eileen Brennan, and the subsequent national tour starring Elizabeth Ashley and Susan Anton. Her feature film “The Northern Kingdom” is available on Netflix. She lives in Washington Depot, CT and New York City. Violet And Me A Mama-logue, Ms. Lyman’s one-person play, will premiere in August at the Edinburg Fringe. Her first one-person play, My Kitchen Wars, adapted from the book of the same name by Betty Fussell was produced in New York City and Los Angeles. To RSVP for the JUNE 9 event, please email GracewellProductions@gmail.com. Seating is by invitation only and is very limited with an anticipated waiting list. Also coming in the series: July 14 One Touch of Ava written by Pulitzer Prize nominee Julie Gilbert. Directed by Carol Ziske. Aug. 18 One Acts including Hollywood and Thine, a new play by former TV writer Kimberly Hill ("Cheers," "Family Ties" and "Facts of Life"), directed by Hill and Lauren Yarger. Additional one acts to be included will be announced. Sept. 8 The Spitting Image by Actors Studio Moderator Ron Beverly, who directs Debra Khan-Bey and Chazz Palminteri.* All plays and performers are subject to change.
The StAGEd Intent Series is by invitation only and seating is limited. WOuld you like to be included on our invite list? Email Lauren at GracwellProductions@gmail.com.