An Inspector Calls Promises Drama, Surprise
Cast and crew are hard at work preparing the January LLT production of An Inspector Calls, JB Priestley’s thriller. Director Neal Checkoway promises audiences not only a first-class drama, but also several surprises.
“The long-running London revival of the play directed by Stephen Daldry (of Billy Elliot renown) was noteworthy for its spectacular set elements” says Checkoway. “While we can’t replicate many of those features here at LLT, we are certainly planning our own innovations.”
Priestley’s play, written in 1946, was a smash revival in London and New York for over 10 years. Set in 1912 England, the play opens on the nouveau riche Birling family celebrating the engagement of their daughter Sheila. But their pleasant evening is interrupted by the sudden appearance of a police inspector, and the drama ensues.
The cast comprises a mix of LLT stage veterans, professional actors and stage newcomers with Pat Carroll as Arthur Birling, Jeritza McCarter as Sybil Birling, Sylvia Bitting as Sheila Birling, Rex Wilson as Eric Birling, Michael Warren as fiancé Gerald Croft, Christine White as maid Edna, and George Lugg as The Inspector.
Set design newcomer Don Puderbaugh and his team have put the finishing touches on the Edwardian set and LLT veteran Lois Cugini has finalized costumes for the period piece.
But Checkoway warns audiences to expect the unexpected.
“This play touches on several themes, including the distinctions between appearance and reality,” he says. “So, in addition to the dialogue, what the audience will see is also intended to convey symbolically what lies beneath the surface.”
The play debuts January 5, 2004 at LLT. Tickets will be sold at the theater box office Fri-Sat, January 2-3 from 10am to noon. During the run of the show January 5-12, tickets will be sold 10am to noon daily and prior to curtain from 6:15pm to 7:15pm. Tickets for the Sunday matinee, scheduled for January 11, will also be on sale from 1:45pm to 2:45pm.
For more information, call the LLT box office at 766-0954. Or go to the play’s specially-created website at http://neal.checkoway.com/inspector.
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