Penned by five-time Emmy Award-winning writer Hal Corley, the play takes "the majestic mountains of the Adirondacks, crystal clear lakes and popular sites in and around Lake Placid" as inspiration. ATF's producing artistic director Mark Fleischer stages the comedy-drama about a recently divorced Maryland woman who is sent away on a leaf-watching trip by her son.
"Unimpressed by the scenery and annoyed by her fellow travelers, when her tour bus breaks down she sets off on her own looking for peace and quiet only to stumble upon a man sunbathing in the nude," according to ATF notes. "While their differing world views spark a conflagration, the man (a bartender in a Lake Placid hotel) exposes her to nature, late love and more."
The cast includes New York City stage actors Suzanna Hay as Ellen and Kevin Kelly as Perry. The show's design team includes David Esler (sets); Matt Frey (lighting); Isabel Rubio (costumes); Ken Goodwin (sound); and Richard DiBella (projections).
The July 9 opening follows a preview July 8. Performances continue to July 17 at the Charles R. Wood Theater in downtown Glens Falls, NY. ATF presented Brush the Summer By in summer 2009 in two staged readings after a week of rehearsals during which Corley and Fleischer actively worked on the script. The positive response prompted Fleischer to plan the 2010 world premiere.
"Each of the two readings resulted in invigorating discussions about the characters and their motivations," Fleischer said in production notes. "Months after the readings I was still being approached on the street by people who saw the readings and wanted to talk about the play. My goal is to produce theatre that sparks a conversation and Hal's play certainly did that. If it sparked such conversation with actors standing behind music stands, I can't begin to imagine the impact a full production with sets, costumes and lights will have." ATF continues its tradition of developing new works later in the summer with a workshop and readings of the new musical Loving Leo by Sara Cooper and Zachary Redler on July 25 and 26.
For tickets and more information, call (518) 874-0800 or visiting ATFestival.org.
