Orson's Shadow Playbill, Original Off-Broadway Production - Barrow Street Theatre - April 2005 (Volume 121)

This sixty-two page Playbill documents the original Off-Broadway production of Austin Pendleton's witty and incisive depiction of the drama of theatre, based on a real life situation. Apparently the distinguished critic Kenneth Tynan brought together theatrical giants Orson Welles and Sir Laurence Olivier (along with Joan Plowright, Olivier's new love interest) to collaborate on a revival of Eugene Ionesco's absurdist comedy RHINOCEROS, but the clash of titanic egos and visits from Vivien Leigh, Olivier's newly divorced wife, makes the rehearsal process more absurd than the play. Program contents: title page with credits; original cast; time/setting; "who's who" (including director David Cromer and his creative team, as well as the actors); complete staff. Feature articles (illustrated with photos): "Simply Scrumptious" - the family-friendly CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG takes flight onstage; "Good as Goldblum" - for THE PILLOWMAN's Jeff Goldblum, living a life of creativity is a noble pursuit; "The Bard of Rock" - a mysterious stranger (played by Cheyenne Jackson) singing Elvis tunes stirs emotions in ALL SHOOK UP. Plus: "Theatre Quiz" - subject is costumer Florence Klotz; "On the Aisle" - theatre gossip; "A Life in the Theatre" - profiling Todd Haines, Roundabout Theatre Company's Artistic Director; "Look Who's Talking" - theatre people talk shop, and other favorite columns.