Williamstown sets bows
Hawke circling 'Camino'
This summer, Tennessee Williams' "Camino Real," a diffusive, elusive fantasy that essentially describes life as an emotional torture chamber, is tentatively skedded for the first slot on the fest's schedule. Insiders say that helmer Nicholas Martin, ("Betty's Summer Vacation," "Full Gallop") is attached to direct thesp Ethan Hawke.
(Ironically, it was exactly 46 years ago that "Camino" opened on Broadway starring Eli Wallach, under Elia Kazan's helm; derided as dismal and almost incomprehensibly baffling in reviews, it flopped.)
In talks with Hawke
Bart Reidy, spokesman for the festival, confirmed that "we're in negotiations with Hawke," but declined to comment on the status of the talks. Insiders familiar with the talks said a deal for Hawke should be inked in the next 10 to 15 days.
Hawke's agents at CAA would not deny the discussions but declined to comment.
Meanwhile, sophomore efforts from play scribblers Kenneth Lonergan and Warren Leight are also skedded to bow, Reidy said.
Leight, author of Broadway hit "Side Man," which is currently in its second (this time commercial) run on Broadway, will premiere his new work, "The Glimmer Brothers." Play focuses on two brothers who take decidedly different roads in life and their attempt at reconciliation. No director is attached yet, Reidy said, but he noted that several candidates are being screened.
Lonergan will also debut new work at the fest. His hit play, "This is Our Youth," a poignant story about defiant Upper West Side intellectual slackers and a bag of stolen cash, is currently Off Broadway at the Douglas Fairbanks. His newest work, "The Waverly Gallery," is skedded for a summer festival bow, but details about its plot are still sketchy.
Good track record
Much of the Gotham theatrical community is keenly watching the Williamstown slate, as the last crop of plays resulted in two transfers of new work to Off Broadway:
- Paul Rudnick's gay-themed laffer "The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told" preemed at the '98 fest. Helmed by Christopher Ashley, it transferred to commercial run produced by Scott Rudin/Richard Frankel Prods. that is doing boffo B.O. at the Minetta Lane.
- A.R. "Pete" Gurney's play "Far East" followed it at the fest last year. The legiter, about a young naval officer's difficult choices in love during the Korean conflict transferred to Lincoln Center's Mitzi Newhouse theater in January. It has extended to its run through mid-June.
