Kingston, NY – August 1, 2002: TheaterSounds, the Hudson Valley Playreading Series dedicated to the concept that the mind is the best stage, celebrated its one-year anniversary on July 20, 2002. In that time, the series has featured work by 13 playwrights, performances by more than two dozen professional actors, and two world-premiere readings.
Artistic Director Nicola Sheara explains the success of the series; “Theater professionals are able to join us for readings because of the small time commitment. We were thrilled to bring noted British actors Sir Ian Holm and Roger Rees to the Hudson Valley for our last reading, Don Juan in Hell. To see these extraordinary actors perform live would normally require a trip to Broadway or London’s West End, but local audiences were able to enjoy their portrayals of Don Juan and the Devil at no cost.”
Sheara is looking forward to the second year of the series. “We’ll continue to present a mix of new plays – including world-premiere readings – and classics. Our first reading will be Vita & Virgina, a wonderful play adapted from the letters of Virginia Woolfe and Vita Sackville-West.”
Vita & Virginia, the first reading of TheaterSounds’ second season, was adapted from correspondence between Woolf and Sackville-West by British actress Eileen Atkins. The two authors, members of the illustrious Bloomsbury set, met at a dinner party in 1922 and began an affair lasting 20 years. Their revelatory letters to one another chronicle their extraordinary relationship. TheaterSounds will present the reading on Saturday, August 10 at 8:00pm.
ABOUT VITA & VIRGINIA:
Vita & Virginia, adapted from correspondence between Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West by Eileen Atkins, will be read on Saturday August 10 at 8:00pm, at UUCC, 320 Sawkill Road, Kingston, NY. The reading features Gloria Hodes* as Vita & Jennifer Sternberg* as Virginia, and is directed by Nicola Sheara. Admission is free.
ABOUT THEATERSOUNDS:
Dedicated to the concept that the mind is the best stage, the TheaterSounds playreading series brings both classic and new plays, performed by professional actors, to the Hudson Valley. TheaterSounds has no budget constraints, no restrictions on scenery, costumes, or props, because all of these things are created in the imaginations of the audience. For more information about TheaterSounds, contact Artistic Director Nicola Sheara at 845-657-6303, or by email.
