Running, the third installment in CTC’s Uncommon Love Stories season, is being given its New England Premiere in a production directed by Ron Bashford, director of last season’s CTC hit – pride@prejudice. Arlene Hutton’s witty, sensitive and wise dramedy, the hit of the New York Fringe Festival, will remind audiences why her Nibroc Trilogy was an all-time hit at CTC. Running , which NYTheatre.com hailed as: “A smart, funny script … a very real, human drama” opens on August 1st and plays through August 12th.
“I can’t reveal why this play was included in this season of Uncommon Love Stories – it would give too much away, but at the end of the play, audience members will understand why” says CTC Artistic Director Byam Stevens. Explaining his choice of seasonal theme he continues, “There’s a saying in the theatre trade that all plays are love stories (sometimes the love in question is of money, power, fame, etc.) and this season affirms that saying. But, these aren’t your usual love stories, there’s not a conventional romantic comedy among them. However, we’ll still have romance and comedy and betrayal and magic and mystery – all the makings of great contemporary theatre!”
Running opens on the eve of the New York City Marathon. Stephen, preparing for his first race, needs a good night’s sleep — his wife is in London on business and he has the apartment to himself. That is, until Emily, his wife’s ex-roommate, shows up unexpectedly and in crisis. Late night conversation becomes late night confessions and connections.
CTC veteran Jay Stratton (Darcy in pride@prejudice) will play Stephen to CTC newcomer Melissa Hurst’s Emily.
Arlene Hutton is best known for The Nibroc Trilogy (Last Train To Nibroc, See Rock City, Gulf View Drive) which was presented in its entirety at CTC in 2010. Other works include As It Is In Heaven, and Letters To Sala. Her plays have been presented throughout the world and have been translated into Chinese, Dutch, and Romanian. Her children’s play Happy Worst Day Ever was commissioned by Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and won the Macy’s New Play Award. Ms. Hutton is a three‑time winner of the Samuel French Short Play Festival, and the recipient of the Lippman and Calloway Awards. Hutton was twice named the Tennessee Williams Fellow in Playwriting at the University of the South.
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THE CREATIVE TEAM
The cast features Melissa Hurst as Emily and Jay Stratton as Stephen. Directed by Ron Bashford, Set Design by David Towlun, Lighting Design by Jill Nagle, Costume Design by Heather Crocker Aulenback, Sound Design by Tom Shread.
Ron Bashford, a faculty member at Amherst College, directed last summer’s CTC hit pride@prejudice — which will be presented this fall at Albany’s Capital Repertory Theater. Ron’s recent work includes 2 Washington Square by Constance Congdon (Amherst College), Much Ado About Nothing, (Independent Shakespeare Co., Los Angeles Times Critics Choice), What The Butler Saw and A Number (North Carolina Stage Co.), Skylight and Picasso At The Lapin Agile (Capital Rep) and Macbeth (Syracuse Stage).
Jay Stratton (Stephen) has previously appeared at CTC in pride@prejudice, The Dishwashers, Grace and Two Rooms. In New York he has performed at Red Bull Theatre (The Duchess of Malfi), and the Pearl Theatre (She Stoops to Conquer, Twelfth Night, and The Oedipus Cycle). His regional theatre work includes: The Pavilion, Reckless, and Christmas Carol at Cincinnati Playhouse; Pride and Prejudice at the Denver Center; Oedipus the King (as Oedipus) at Pittsburgh Public Theatre.
Melissa Hurst (Emily), who is making her CTC debut, has appeared in many New York premieres, including One Neck (with Allison Janney) at the Atlantic Theatre Company and Harry Kondoleon’s The Houseguests (Obie Award ‑ Best Play). Regionally, Melissa has appeared at Hartford Stage, Pittsburgh Public, St. Louis Rep, Capital Rep, and in over 20 productions with the Dorset Theatre Festival. Film and TV credits include Law and Order, and the recurring role of Mrs. Chitwood on Guiding Light.
