Director Matthew W. Smith is very pleased to present Athol Fugard’s MASTER HAROLD…AND THE BOYS, November 4-6, 2011 at The Dayton Playhouse located in The Wegerzen Gardens MetroPark. This production is in addition to the group’s 2011/12 Season offerings. All proceeds from this production will benefit the Playhouse.
The Show
Initially banned from production in South Africa, this drama is set in Port Elizabeth during the 1950s. Sam and Willie, two middle-aged South African men, have always been a part of seventeen-year-old Hally’s life – bonding despite the color barrier that could have easily separated them. With Hally’s tyrannical father on his way home after a hospital stay, tension runs high and actions are regretted. A story about loyalty, acceptance and the pain involved with breaking the cycle of racism and violence, MASTER HAROLD…AND THE BOYS is a poignant drama highlighting important issues that still exist in today’s global society.
Premiering on Broadway in 1982 and running for 344 performances, MASTER HAROLD…AND THE BOYS tackles themes of racism, apartheid, bigotry and hatred.
Awards
- 1982 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding New Play
- 1983 London Critics’ Circle Theatre Award for Best Play
- 1983 London ”Evening Standard” Award for Best Play
Nominations
- 1982 Tony Award for Best Play
The Author (from Wikipedia.org)
Athol Fugard (born 11 June 1932) is a South African playwright, novelist, actor, and director who writes in English, best known for his political plays opposing the South African system of apartheid and for the 2005 Academy-Award winning film of his novel Tsotsi, directed by Gavin Hood. He is an adjunct professor of playwriting, acting, and directing in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of California, San Diego. For academic year 2000–2001, he was the IU Class of 1963 Wells Scholar Professor at Indiana University, in Bloomington, Indiana. The recipient of many awards, honors, and honorary degrees, including the 2005 Order of Ikhamanga in Silver “for his excellent contribution and achievements in the theatre” from the government of South Africa, he is also an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
The Director
Matthew Smith is a graduate of Wright State University and has also staged The Drawing Room, WIT and The Sunshine Boys. He has performed with the Dayton Theatre Guild, SCC, WSU, Columbus Children’s Theatre, Town Hall Theatre, and The Actor’s Theatre. He appeared on the Playhouse stage in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Greater Tuna and Corpus Christi. Matthew is an Equity membership candidate, a recipient of the Ohio Roundtable Harold Award, an eight-time Blackburn Award recipient and a two-time DayTony recipient for his onstage work in The Cripple of Inishmaan and …Putnam County Spelling Bee. Most recently Matthew was presented with The Blackburn Award of Excellence Chairman’s Award for Service.
The Cast
Sam: Franklin Johnson
Willie: Robert-Wayne Waldron
Hally: Ray Zupp
Performance Schedule
Friday, November 4, 2011 at 8pm (Dessert Reception to follow performance) Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 8pm Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 2pm
Location
The Dayton Playhouse is located inside The Wegerzyn Gardens MetroPark (1301 E Siebenthaler Ave, Dayton OH 45401). Parking is free.
Ticket Information
General Admission tickets are $10 and seating is first come, first served. Please call 937-424-8477 or visit http://www.thedaytonplayhouse.com/index.php/benefit to reserve your GA tickets in advance. Staff will be available to take your call Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:00pm-5:00pm as well as one hour prior to curtain.
General Information
MASTER HAROLD…AND THE BOYS is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. The lobby and box office will be open one hour prior to curtain; house will open thirty minutes prior to curtain. All proceeds from this non-season show benefit The Dayton Playhouse. Please be advised, this show is not recommended for children under the age of 17 due to adult themes. For further information, please contact The Dayton Playhouse by calling (937) 424-8477.
Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 