Regional NewsSierra Boggess and Boyd Gaines Star in Age of Innocence World Premiere at Hartford StageDoug Hughes directs the adaptation by Douglas McGrath.
By
Andrew Gans
April 05, 2018
Sierra Boggess and Boyd Gaines
Olivier Award nominee Sierra Boggess and four-time Tony winner Boyd Gaines head the cast of the world premiere of The Age of Innocence, presented at Hartford Stage April 5–May 6.
Adapted for the stage by Douglas McGrath, the production is directed by Tony winner Doug Hughes.
Boggess, who plays Countess Ellen Olenska, and Gaines, who plays The Old Gentleman, are joined by Helen Cespedes as May Welland and Andrew Veenstra as Newland Archer.
The company also includes Darrie Lawrence as Mrs. Manson Mingott; Deirdre Madigan as Mrs. Welland, Mrs. Van Der Luyden, and Florist; Haviland Morris as Mrs. Archer; Josh Salt as Thorley, Riviere and Dallas; Tony Ward as Mr. Van Der Luyden, Larry Lefferts, and Letterblair; and Nick Wyman as Julius Beaufort, Sillerton Jackson, and Mr. Hickey. Sara Norton, Daniel Owens, Sara Schwab, and Alessandro Gian Viviano, students from The Hartt School at the University of Hartford, are featured in the ensemble.
Edith Wharton's novel The Age of Innocence won the Pulitzer Prize in 1921. Set during the Gilded Age in New York, McGrath’s adaptation introduces audiences to the courtly young gentleman lawyer Newland Archer; his traditional and demure fiancée May; and the free-spirited Countess Ellen Olenska, who has come home from Europe tainted by scandal.
“Douglas McGrath and Doug Hughes are bringing this splendid adaptation of Edith Wharton’s masterpiece to Hartford Stage,” said Hartford Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak in an earlier statement. “The wonderful Boyd Gaines, winner of four Tony Awards, leads a renowned cast featuring Sierra Boggess, Helen Cespedes, and Andrew Veenstra. We are thrilled to welcome all of them to Hartford Stage.”
The creative team also includes scenic designer John Lee Beatty, costume designer Linda Cho, lighting designer Ben Stanton, and sound designer Mark Bennett, who also penned original music. The production stage manager is Lori Lundquist with Jared Oberholtzer as assistant stage manager.
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