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The Dresser: A Drama by Ronald Harwood
Directed by Reva Kaufman

The Very Little Theatre presents a two-week run of a Ronald Harwood’s compelling human drama, “The Dresser.” The play opens on Friday, Dec. 4, and closes on Sunday, Dec. 13.

Harwood based the play on his experiences as dresser to distinguished English Shakespearean actor-manager Sir Donald Wolfit, whose character is represented by “Sir” in the play. The last of the great breed of English actor-managers, “Sir” is in a bad way tonight. As his dresser tries valiantly to prepare him to go on stage as King Lear, he is having great difficulty remembering who and where he is, let alone Lear’s lines. His dresser, Norman, is a fussbudgit who has served the actor faithfully for 16 years. His job is not only to dress the man but to massage his ego, remind him of his opening lines, and even provide the sound effects for the storm scene. The play was first presented in London, and was nominated for Best Play at the Laurence Olivier Awards for 1980. The play opened on Broadway the next year and was nominated for the 1982 Tony Award for Best Play. 

“A stirring evening [that] ... burns with a love of the theatre that conquers all.... Perfectly observed, devilishly entertaining backstage lore.” —New York Times.

The play was made into a film in 1983 based on a screenplay by Harwood. The film was directed by Peter Yates and starred Albert Finney, Tom Courtenay, Eileen Atkins, Michael Gough, and Edward Fox.

Director Reva Kaufman has cast David Wright as Sir, and Michael Watkins as Norman, his dresser. Others in the stellar cast include Maggie Muellner, Sharon Sless, Ron Hart, David Kessler, Heidi Fraiser Eldridge, Larry Caird, Chris Willie, and Mike Eldridge. The set design is by Alan Beck.

As the two central characters, David Wright and Michael Watkins each bring strong resumes to their roles. David Wright is a newcomer to VLT; he lists his favorite past roles as Prospero (The Tempest), Hubert (King John), James Tyrone (Long Day’s Journey Into Night), Jack (The Weir), and Scrooge (Inspecting Carol). His directing credits include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Star-Spangled Girl, The Fantasticks, The Medium, and The Telephone. Michael Watkins is well-known to local audiences for his directing and acting skills in many productions at VLT, Actor’s Cabaret, and in other local theaters. 

More info on playwright/screenwriter Ronald Harwood at:   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronald_Harwood

            The play is being produced in VLT’s Stage Left room. All seating is general admission, and tickets are $12. The seven performances are Friday-Sunday, Dec. 4-6, and Thursday-Sunday, Dec. 10-13. Curtain is at 8 p.m. except for the 2 p.m. Sunday matinees. The VLT box office will open on Friday, Nov. 27, from 2-5:30 p.m. and will continue Wednesday-Saturday the following two weeks. The Very Little Theatre is located at 2350 Hilyard St. Phone is 344-7751.      

The Dresser opens December 4 , 2009; directed by Reva Kaufman.

Auditions

Auditions have concluded. Please see our Auditions page for upcoming auditions for other VLT shows!

Show Dates

Box Office open beginning November 27, phone: (541) 344-7751.

Cast

Production Staff