Ethan McSweeny (Gore Vidal's The Best Man) directs the new staging which began Jan. 18 for a run slated through Feb. 27.
Sabina follows the titular Russian-Jewish woman who is responsible for bringing psychology legends and rivals Carl Jung and Sigmund Freud together. Sabina Spielrein was at the center of the psychological and sexual triangle explored in the work.
Marin Ireland (Far Away) stars in the title role opposite Victor Slezak (The Graduate) as Jung and Peter Strauss (Chinese Friends) as Freud. Adam Stein (Don Juan — Old Globe Theatre) also appears as Binswager.
The design team for Sabina includes Mark Wendland (scenic), Michael Sharpe (costumes), Jane Cox (lighting) and Robert Kaplowitz (sound). Michael Roth provides original music.
The original 1996 Off-Broadway staging of the work opened March 6 at Primary Stages under the direction of Melia Bensussen. The production featured another Marin in the lead role, Marin Hinkle ("Once & Again") alongside George Bartenieff (as Freud), Ken Marks (as Jung) and David Atkins. Playwright Holtzman has penned the plays Hearts (a Pulitzer Prize nominee), Bovver Boys, The Closer, Inside Out, Blanco and San Antonio Sunset. His film and television work includes "Edge of America" (Sundance 2004), "Blood Brothers" (HBO), "The Aaron Henry Story" (HBO, Emmy nomination), "Mad Dogs and Englishmen" and "The Plagiarist."
Director McSweeny staged the recent Broadway production of Gore Vidal's The Best Man and has helmed Off-Broadway's Never the Sinner: The Leopold and Loeb Story as well as regional presentations of The Beauty Queen of Leenane, Side Man, Gross Indecency, Master Class, Hydriotaphia and Mad About the Bard. He will serve as an associate artistic director at George Street Playhouse this season.
Ireland was recently seen at London's Royal Court Theatre in 4:48 Psychosis. Other credits include Nocturne (New York Theatre Workshop), The Triple Happiness (Second Stage), The Harlequin Studies (Signature Theatre), Where We're Born (Rattlestick Theatre), Savannah Bay (Classic Stage Company) and in the premiere of Warren Leight's James & Annie (Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati).
Tickets to Primary Stages' Sabina at 59E59 Theatres, at 59 East 59th Street, can be purchased by calling (212-279-4200) or at the box office. For more information, visit www.primarystages.com.
