Theater O returns to Bethany Arts community with screen classic, THE STING
Theater O is delighted to announce that June 21 – 23 they will again be in residency at the new Bethany Arts Community in Ossining, NY. Theater O will present three performances of the Paul Newman/Robert Redford screen triumph, The Sting.
Artistic Director Jessica Irons says, “We are delighted to return to Bethany with our production of The Sting. With gender-blind casting (Audrey Schnecker plays Johnny Hooker, the Robert Redford role), this show encapsulates the slick and sassy world of the 1930s con. Working with unique staging (audience on two sides) and fun choreography and music, the play will delight audiences of all ages.”
The excitement, maneuvers and comedy of the Paul Newman/Robert Redford screen triumph have been brilliantly adapted for stage production by one of the finest professional playwrights writing today. This show takes place in Chicago many years ago in a world of small-time hustlers and their girls—their money nonexistent but their ingenuity abundant. Johnny Hooker (a small-time grifter played by Redford in the film) joins a friend in a successful con of a “runner.” Unfortunately for them, the runner works for a powerful, vindictive rackets boss, Doyle Lonnegan, who is infuriated and arranges the killing of Johnny’s friend. Hoping to avenge this senseless murder, Johnny enlists the aid of the master con man Henry Gondorf (originally played by Newman). Together they decide to try the big con called “The Wire.” Structured in classic style, their first move is “The Set Up.” From there they proceed to “The Tale.” The tension mounts as they succeed and, with the powerful Lonnegan half-hooked, go on to “The Shut Out.” The excitement becomes explosive and a final scene, with switch upon switch upon switch, has your audience guessing and gasping as it builds to the final con movement, “The Sting!” This is a wonderfully theatrical and yet authentic exploration of a very special world.
The cast for the performances includes: Dylan Alter, Madison Bisnauth, Kiera Bisnauth, Cole Bodoff, Max Bodoff, Cavan Brouder, Eoin Carr, Gabriella DiMicelli, Kenzie Dono, Lila Fenimore, Henry Hoffman, Jacob Irons, AJ Jeffrey, Leah Mione, Elena Prisament, Lilah Prosperino, Eamon Ragan, Kiran Roye, Derek Rudley, June Salo, Orry Schackney, Audrey Schnecker, Ella Schnecker, Veronika Volczjak, Sarah Wiedenheft. Jessica Irons directs. Andrew Irons designs and Anna Prestopino is the stage manager. Theater O students Teddy Dengler and Daniel Hannan are the assistant designer and assistant director, respectively.
Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday June 21 through 23 at 7pm at Bethany Arts Community, 40 Somerstown Road, Ossining, NY 10562. Tickets are $10 and are available for purchase starting June 1st at www.theatero.org. For more information about Theater O please visit www.theatero.org. For more information on Bethany Arts Community, please visit bethanyarts.org/events