- By Simrat Applebaum
- Entertainment
Print 
The Hangar Theatre stages Harold Pinter's love-triangle-with-a-twist Betrayal July 22 through August 1. At the height of his career, Tony Award-winning playwright and Nobel laureate Harold Pinter penned this tale of unraveling friendship, duplicitous love, and the inescapable power of attraction. Compelling, surprising, and highly imaginative, it's easy to understand why this is one of Pinter's most popular plays.
Under the direction of Wendy Dann, the passionate drama is a fresh retelling of a women's illicit relationship with her husband's best friend. "Pinter's innovative structure and spare language paint an unflinching and riveting portrait of deception," said Dann. Pinter's pauses allow the listener to fill in the gaps with their own scandalous imagination.
Director Wendy Dann is the associate artistic director at the Hangar Theatre and directed last season's No Child... and Bad Dates on the Hangar's stage. Dann is the co-author and director of Sammy & Me, with Eric J. Young, which made its world premiere at Musicalfare Theatre and the Hangar in 2006. She teaches acting and directing at Ithaca College.
Harold Pinter, one of the most celebrated playwrights of the twentieth century, died this past year on December 24,. Pinter's most notable works include The Birthday Party in 1957, The Caretaker in 1959, The Homecoming in 1964 and Betrayal in 1978. The New York Times theatre critic Ben Brantley called Betrayal "The most accessible of Mr. Pinter's major works. Mr. Pinter has invested a well-worn formula with a gnawing, transforming sense of just how opaque people remain to one another."
Rosie Benton, as the wife Emma, has performed in the Broadway production Les Liaisons Dangereuses and Accent on Youth. John Wernke, as Jerry, performed alongside Benton in Accent on Youth and has also been seen on Broadway in The American Plan. The role of Robert is played by Jonathan Kaplan, who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in Broadway's Falsetto's. Marcin Pawlikiewicz and Robert J. De Luca round out the cast as the two waiters.
Pete Rush, who designs both the set and costumes, has previously designed the Hangar Theatre's productions of The Wiz, Art, Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and the School Tour Productions of Hansel and Gretel, and Jack and the Beanstalk, among others. Lighting designer Thom Weaver's recent design credits include Complete Works and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Sound Designer Eric Watkins returns to the Hangar for a third season, having previously worked on Doubt, All the Great Books, and last season's The Playboy of the Western World. Ryan Rumery composed original music for this production.
Betrayal will appear at the Hangar Theatre just 2 miles from Downtown Ithaca on Route 89 at the Treman Marina entrance of Cass Park from July 8 through 18. The production is made possible with the support of sponsors the Law Firm Schlather, Stumbar, Parks & Salk and media sponsor WSKG with support from the Ithaca Coffee Company and Rasa Spa.
Betrayal Performance Dates:
Wednesday, July 22 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 23 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 24 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 25 - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, July 25 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, July 26 - 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, July 28 - 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, July 29 - 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, July 30 - 7:30 p.m.
Friday, July 31 - 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 1 - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 1 - 8:00 p.m.
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