Photo: J. Elissa Marshal
Libretto by Mac Wellman
Composed by David Lang
Directed by Luke Leonard
Music Directed by Lyn Koenning
Performances: April 23*, 24, 28, 29, 30 & May 1 at 8:00 PM
April 25 & May 1, 2 at 2:00 PM
B. Iden Payne Theatre
Tickets: $20 adults, $17 UT faculty & staff, $15 students available online at www.texasperformingarts.org or by phone at 477-6060.
*Join us April 23rd for two special events:
A Conversation with Mac Wellman and David Lang
All theatre patrons are invited to attend this intimate pre-performance talk with the creators of The Difficulty of Crossing a Field. Refreshments will be served.
April 23 at 6:45 p.m. at Winship 2.112 Space is limited
Opening Night Reception
Meet with the cast, crew and director of The Difficulty of Crossing a Field while enjoying an assortment of light snacks and desserts. The reception immediately follows the performance and will be held in the Winship Atrium.
Media and Resources:
Synopsis: A slave-owning farmer in the pre-civil war American South walks across his field in Selma, Alabama and disappears in plain view of his neighbors, his family, and his slaves. Everyone has his or her view of what the disappearance means, but the more the witnesses try to recount the disappearance, the more elusive it becomes. Crossing the boundaries of musical theatre and opera in this inventive new play mixes spoken and sung text with a moving score and intense drama.
Director: Luke Leonard is a third-year M.F.A. in Directing candidate at The University of Texas at Austin. He was born in Houston, TX and began his theater studies in Texas before moving to New York where he received a B.F.A. in Acting from Brooklyn College and spent 12 years working in theater and film as an actor, playwright, producer, and director. His affinity for the fine arts led to eight years working for a successful art gallery in New York during which time he formed a theater company, opened a theater venue, and produced new works. He studied with legendary, experimental director, Joseph Chaikin, trained with Anne Bogart's SITI Company, and was inspired by contemporary groups like Gale Gates et al. Directing credits include: Israel Horovitz's L'INDIANO VUOLE IL BRONX/The Indian Wants the Bronx (Teatrino delle Sei, Spoleto, Italy), Mac Wellman's BAD PENNY (The Blanton Museum of Art), Soo-Jin Lee's WHY KOREANS DON'T HUG (The Lab Theatre), BEAT VOICES in conjunction with the exhibition ON THE ROAD WITH THE BEATS (The Harry Ransom Center), and Stephen Adly Guirgis' OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET (The Lab Theatre). During March and April 2009 he served as an assistant for the premiere of Robert Wilson's SONETTE, based on Shakespeare's Sonnets, at The Berliner Ensemble in Germany. Luke is a member of Actors' Equity Association, Screen Actors Guild, Associate Member of the Dramatists Guild, and founder/member of Monk Parrots.
- John Hazlewood as Mr. Williamson
- Jennifer Adams as Mrs. Williamson
- Haley Hussey as Williamson Girl
- Jenn Hartmann as Old Woman/Doorbell
- Thomas Roduta as Boy Sam/Nuisance
- Gabriel Jason Dean as Andrew
- Joey le Page as Armour Wren
- Ben Schave as Magistrate/Weevil
- Julia Gytri as Round
- Zach Ullah as Square
- Chrissy Shackelford as Juniper
- Daniel Sullivan as Crabgrass
- Michelle Flanagan as Candlestick
- Travis Tate as Limbo
- Stephen Naimoli as Clock
- Sarah Walker as Bumblebee
- Glen Hall as Jackass
- Bethany Renfro as Crawdad
- Hallie Chaney as Puissance
- Morgan Beckford as Virginia Creeper
String Quartet:
- Amy Harris – Violin I
- Kevin Mendoza – Violin II
- Julie Keller – Viola
- Douglas Machiz – Cello
- Morgan Beckford
- Hallie Chaney
- Michelle Flanagan
- Julia Gytri
- Glen Hall
- Stephen Naimoli
- Bethany Renfro
- Chrissy Shackelford
- Daniel Sullivan
- Travis Tate
- Zach Ullah
- Sarah Walker
Press and Reviews:
- The Difficulty of Crossing a Field Press Release
- Austin American-Statesman Preview - 4/22/10
- Austin American-Statesman Review - 4/25/10
- Austin Chronicle Interview with Composer, David Lang: Part 1, "Possibility of Failure" - 4/30/10
- Austin Chronicle Interview with Composer, David Lang: Part 2, "Mystery Is Where It's At" - 4/30/10
