Trish Hawkins, the original star of Lanford Wilson's Talley's Folly, returns to the New York stage in Jan Buttram's new play Private Battles, beginning Sept. 18 at the Judith Anderson Theatre. The piece, presented by the Abingdon Theatre Company, officially opens Sept. 27.
Battles, based on a true story, is about Mrs. Logan, an administrator of a state hospital in 1908 Illinois, and Albert Cashier, an ex-Civil War soldier with a secret. Buttram began her career as an actress. Her plays have been produced at the York Theatre and La MaMa ETC.
Aside from Talley's Folly, Hawkins appeared in many early Circle Rep productions, including Hot L Baltimore and The Moundbuilders. Other credits include Tennessee Williams' Battle of Angels and David Story's The Farm.
Also in the cast of Battles are Mikel Sarah Lambert, Martin LaPlatney, Daphne Gaines, Ed Tulley and Ed Steele. Stephen Hollis, who directed Lynn Redgrave in The Notebooks of Trigorin, will pilot the production.
For information, call (212) 279-4200. -- By Robert Simonson