Bad Dates, Good Times
at the Huntington

New Comedy Coming in January

The Huntington Theater Company will kick off 2004 with the engaging new comedy, “Bad Dates,” by Theresa Rebeck. “Bad Dates” premiered at Playwrights Horizons Theatre in June 2003, directed by John Benjamin Hickey and featuring Julie White (“Six Feet Under”), for whom the play was written. The Huntington production reunites actress and director, and will run at the Boston University Theatre from January 2 – February 1, 2004.

In “Bad Dates,” restaurant manager and shoe connoisseur Haley Walker is re-entering the dating scene – that bizarre social that is the basis for the continuation of the human species. But as the story reveals, the road to co-habitation is a bumpy one. From the privacy of her bedroom where she prepares for or unwinds from her dates, Haley relates a series of comic tales from her colorful experiences.

The New York Times said of Ms. White’s performance “there is no more endearing character portrayal on-stage in New York.” And John Simon of New York Magazine said “You will not want to miss this charming play; to miss White’s performance would be unforgivable.”

Julie White’s New York credits include “The Heidi Chronicles,” “Dinner With Friends” and “Barbra’s Wedding,” as well as two other plays by Theresa Rebeck – “Spike Heels” and “The Family of Mann.” Having worked from coast to coast regionally, her last appearance at the Huntington was in “On The Verge” in 1986. Her television work includes guest starring as Mitzi Dalton Huntley on HBO’s “Six Feet Under” and on “Grace Under Fire.”

Theresa Rebeck, a Brandeis University graduate, writes for theater, screen, and TV. Her stage work includes most recently “Omnium Gatherum,” co-written with Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros, which recently enjoyed an acclaimed Off Broadway run; “Spike Heels;” an adaptation of Eugene Ionesco’s “Rhinoceros;” and “The Actress,” which the Huntington presented in last season’s Boston Theatre Marathon.

Rebeck is a former writer for “LA Law” and “Third Watch,” former writer/producer for “NYPD Blue,” and a current writer/producer for “Law and Order: Criminal Intent.” Her large-screen credits include “Harriet the Spy” and “Gossip.” A collection of her short plays entitled “Rebeck Revisited” ran for nine months at Theatre Neo in Los Angeles, and was called one of the Ten Best Plays of 1999 by L.A. Weekly.

John Benjamin Hickey made his directorial debut with “Bad Dates” in June 2003 at Playwrights Horizons. As an actor, he was most recently seen in “The Crucible” on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include “Cabaret” and “Love! Valour! Compassion!” Off Broadway credits include “Love! Valour! Compassion!” (Obie Award), “Blue Window” (Manhattan Theatre Club), “God’s Heart” and “The Substance of Fire” (Lincoln Center Theater), “On The Bum” and “The End of the Day” (Playwrights Horizons). He has appeared regionally at the Long Wharf Theatre, New York Stage and Film, and several summers at Williamstown Theatre Festival.

Hickey’s television and film credits include “Me and My Shadows: Life with Judy Garland,” several episodes of “Law & Order,” “Sex and The City,” “The Anniversary Party,” “Changing Lanes” and the current ABC television series “It’s All Relative.”

Also be aware of the following special Club Nights, providing an opportunity to mingle with fellow theatergoers as well as with the artistic team or cast at a pre- or post- show reception . All receptions are included in the price of the evening’s ticket.

NIGHT CLUB
Sponsored by The Boston Phoenix
For theatergoers 35 and under
Thursday, January 8
7:30 P.M. performance, with a post-show reception

OUT & ABOUT CLUB
Sponsored by Bay Windows
For the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgendered community
Wednesday, January 14
7:30 P.M. performance, with a post-show reception

THEATRE 101 – NEW!
Learn more about theater, both what’s on stage and what’s happening behind the scenes, with this exciting new interactive program.
Begins at 6 P.M., Tuesday, January 27.

POST-PLAY AUDIENCE DISCUSSION – NEW!
Converse with your peers about the play you have just seen. This program gives everyone a chance to listen and be heard by fellow theatergoers.
Sunday, January 11, following the 7 P.M. show.

SNEAK PREVIEW
See a presentation by a member of the Huntington’s artistic staff, featuring contextual background, as well as production-related information.
Tuesday, January 6 and Thursday, January 22, 6:30 to 7 P.M. in the theater.
Free with ticket.
 
HUMANITIES FORUMS
Sunday, January 11, following the 2 P.M. matinee.
Humanities Forums are free and open to the public.

ACTORS FORUMS
The cast from “Bad Dates” will reappear on stage after the show to participate in an open dialogue with the audience.
Thursday, January 15, following the 7:30 P.M. performance, and
Wednesday, January 21, following the 2 P.M. matinee.

Tickets and information are available at the Huntington box office, by calling 617-266-0800 by by logging onto www.huntingtontheatre.org.

-- OnStage Boston

11/21/03

 

 
 
 
To receive an email Update when new pages are posted at OnStage Boston, click here.
   
 

HOMENEWSLINKSARCHIVECONTACT

   
© 2003 RJD Associates. All Rights Reserved.
No portion of this site may be reprinted or reproduced without prior written permission.