As Founder of Penguin Rep I would never have imagined such a wonderful way for all of us to stay connected as we journey through yet another season of fine theatre. a big new direction for the theatre so ..let the blogging begin!!

and as we artists often take the most coincidental events as seminal moments (Why not? That is how we convey and create dreams), just yesterday I had the pleasure of Marshall Mason’s company as I attended the Bdway revival of LEND ME A TENOR as his guest. As student and young director, Mr Mason and his now legendary Circle Rep Company in Greenwich Village, was my greatest source for inspiration and strength to begin my own efforts in converting the barn and creating Penguin Rep. Observing his impeccable taste and intelligence in staging was the bar I had to set for myself. I don’t know if I have achieved my goal but certainly I still call his talent to mind in many a rehearsal hall.

Seeing TENOR with him after not seeing him for many years (he now lives in Mexico) was combining the sublime with the ridiculous. The dinner theatre feel of the production must have been offensive to my mentor’s sensibility but his smart, gentle manner was at all times gracious; perhaps another lesson I can learn (naah!)
Dinner went on for hours as we spoke of great actors and writers he had worked with and he told me of his new book which will document all the great productions and his plans to return to Bdway next season with TALLEY’S FOLLY staring Mr Schiff from West Wing fame and Robin Wright Penn.

Today we have finalized the casting for FREED opening in NYC at 59E59thSt Theatre on June 13: Emma O’Donnell, Sheldon Best and Cristopher McCann rounds out the cast!

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