Movie stars, legendary talent, declining fame, and explosive egos all collide in the Off-Broadway hit Orson's Shadow, written by New Rep regular Austin Pendleton and selected by Time Magazine as one of the top plays of 2005. In 1960, film director Orson Welles travels to London, persuaded by Kenneth Tynan - himself a powerful theatre critic - to direct a production of Ionesco's Rhinoceros. The Royal Court Theatre production stars the brilliant Laurence Olivier and his latest flame, Joan Plowright, though their romance is complicated by a visit from Olivier's eccentric wife, Vivien Leigh. Filled with risqué, behind-the-scenes intrigue, Orson's Shadow depicts the fragility and humanity of these titan personalities.

by Austin Pendleton
conceived by Judith Auberjonois
directed by Adam Zahler**

Janie E. Howland***, scenic design
Molly Trainer, costume design
Jeff Adelberg, lighting design
Scott G. Nason, sound design
Matthew CW Page, properties design
Carola Morrone*, production stage manager

CAST (in order of appearance)
Jason Marr*, Kenneth
Adam Soule, Sean
Steven Barkhimer*, Orson
Tuck Milligan*, Larry
Helen McElwain*, Joan
Debra Wise*, Vivien

World Premiere by Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago, IL.

Originally Produced in New York at the Barrow Street Theatre by Planetearth Partners, Inc. and Scott Morfee.

ORSON’S SHADOW by Austin Pendleton is presented by arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc., in New York.

*member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
**member of Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Inc., an independent national labor union
***member of United Scenic Artists, Local USA 829