Road Less Traveled Productions (RLTP) announced what will be a very special evening of theater on January 27, 2012–when Alec Baldwin returns to Buffalo to read Clifford Odets’ play The Big Knife in a benefit for RLTP. The event is scheduled to take place at the University at Buffalo (UB) Center for the Arts (CFA) in Amherst, on Friday, January 27, 2012.
Buffalo Cast Announced
The cast of THE BIG KNIFE will be led by Alec Baldwin (Charlie Castle), and includes Lisa Vitrano (Marion Castle), Brian Mysliwy (Marcus Hoff), Brendan Powers (Smiley Coy), Kristen Tripp Kelley (Patty Benedict), Gerry Maher (Nat Danzinger), Kelly Jakiel (Connie Bliss), Dave Hayes (Hank Teagle), Matt Witten (Buddy Bliss), Cassie Gornewiecz (Dixie Evans), and Barry Williams (Russell). The MC for the event will be Bert Gambini.
THE BIG KNIFE creative team includes playwright Clifford Odets, director/RLTP Artistic Director Scott Behrend, and RLTP Literary Director Jon Elston.
THE BIG KNIFE design and production team is comprised of Susan Dickinson (Stage Manager), John Rickus (Lighting Design), and Katie Menke (Sound Design).
The evening’s official title, The Return of Alec Baldwin, marks the third time in RLTP’s groundbreaking history that Mr. Baldwin has performed in an event to benefit the Buffalo-based non-profit theater. Currently in its eighth year, RLTP has produced more than 20 new and original works by local playwrights; at least three of these plays already have gone on to stage production elsewhere in the country.
Mr. Baldwin will read the role of Charlie Castle, a role originated on Broadway by John Garfield and played in a 1955 film adaptation by Jack Palance. Castle is a Hollywood icon who yearns for more artistic freedom; his attempts to walk the line between integrity and celebrity place him in conflict with his gorgeous and idealistic wife, Marion, and Mephistophelean studio exec Marcus Shriner Hoff.
Baldwin’s role as Jack Donaghy on television’s comedy hit “30 Rock” has earned him two Emmy® Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. His career began with an award-winning performance in a Broadway production of Joe Orton’s comedy Loot; he quickly graduated to notable roles on television (“Knots Landing”) and the big screen. The Oscar®-nominated actor is well-regarded for both dramatic and comedic turns in films that include Glengarry Glen Ross, Beetlejuice, The Hunt for Red October, The Departed, The Aviator, The Cooler, The Good Shepherd, It’s Complicated, and The Royal Tenenbaums. He has hosted 16 episodes of “Saturday Night Live,” more than any other guest to date.
The professionally directed staged reading is scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. (doors open at 7:30 p.m.) in the Center for the Arts Mainstage Theatre at the University at Buffalo’s North Campus.
Ticket Information
Tickets: $60 – $250
VIP tickets ($250) –seating is limited. Those holding “VIP” top-tier tickets — either via purchase or event sponsorship — will be invited to a private pre-show cocktail reception, beginning at 5:30 p.m., with a catered dinner to follow, at 6:30 p.m., on the stage of CFA Drama Theatre. Mr. Baldwin will appear at the dinner and read in the play.
Purchase: Tickets are available at the Center for the Arts Box Office (Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m-6:00 p.m. & one hour prior to performance), Ticketmaster outlets and ticketmaster.com. Charge by phone at 800.745.3000.