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Directed by Nathan Winkelstein
Written in just three weeks and initially rejected by American producers, Edward Albee’s first play The Zoo Story offers a profound perspective on isolation and humanity’s fundamental need to connect. Peter-an unassuming and successful publishing executive is reading a book, on a bench, in Central Park when he is approached by the enigmatic Jerry. Rather than pushing one another away these two strangers have a profound, and life changing moment of connection. Albee’s boundary-pushing play gains new and deeper resonance in our current world of self isolation and personal discovery. At Home at the Zoo (The Zoo Story) stars Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, Torch Song Trilogy) as Jerry and Ryan Spahn (Daniel’s Husband, Moscow x6, Gloria) as Peter, and Sophie von Haselberg as Ann. Originally titled Peter & Jerry, At Home at the Zoo combines The Zoo Story (1959) with its prequel, Homelife (2004). Together these short plays form a complete story of Peter, a publishing executive; Ann, his wife; and Jerry, a stranger Peter meets in the park.
An interesting note in honor of Guild Hall’s 90th Anniversary – Albee, a longtime fixture on the East End, was among the earliest members of our Academy of the Arts and received an Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991. He also served one season as the Artistic Director of Guild Hall’s John Drew Theater.
Run time: Approx. 2 hours including intermission
Stage Manager: Amanda Joshi*
At Home at the Zoo (The Zoo Story) is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
www.concordtheatricals.com
*Members of Actors Equity Association
THIS PROGRAM WILL NOW TAKE PLACE INDOORS IN THE JOHN DREW THEATER. Guests attending any INDOOR John Drew Theater programs must show proof of FULL vaccination. At this time, only fully vaccinated guests are permitted to attend programs in the indoor theater. Face coverings are required indoors for all guests over the age of two, regardless of vaccinated status.
Click HERE for full COVID-19 information to review prior to your visit.
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Michael Urie
Michael Urie is best known for four seasons as Marc St. James on ABC’s Ugly Betty. Other TV appearances include: Modern Family, The Good Fight, The Good Wife, Hot in Cleveland, Partners, Workaholics, Almost Family and as Redmond on Younger. On Broadway, he appeared in Bess Wohl’s Grand Horizons, Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song and opposite Nick Jonas in How To Succeed in Business without Really Trying. Off Broadway: Buyer & Cellar, Tony Kushner’s A Bright Room Called Day, High Button Shoes, The Government Inspector, Homos, or Everyone in America, Shows For Days, Angels in America, The Temperamentals. As director, Michael helmed Bright Colors and Bold Patterns on stage; He’s Way More Famous Than You, The Hyperglot and co-directed Thank You For Judging for the screen. Michael produced Drew Droege’s solo comedy Happy Birthday Doug and co-produces Pride Plays, an LGBTQIA theater festival each June. As a host: Cocktails & Classics and New York’s Drama Desk Awards four years in a row. Regional Theater: The Shakespeare Theater (Hamlet), The Old Globe, Seattle Rep, The Folger, Two River, Vineyard Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Barrington Stage, and Center Theater Group. Film: Lavender, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, The Decoy Bride, Such Good People, Abducted. Training: Juilliard
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Ryan Spahn
Lessons in Survival (Vineyard Theatre), Mr. Toole (59E59), How To Load A Musket (59E59), Moscow x6 (MCC & Williamstown), Daniel’s Husband (Westside Theatre & Primary Stages), Summer and Smoke (Classic Stage & Transport Group), Still at Risk (Theatre for the New City), Exit Strategy (Primary Stages), Gloria (Vineyard Theatre). Film: "He’s Way More Famous Than You" (co-writer), "Grantham & Rose" (writer), "Woven" (co-writer). Playwright: Adrienne and The White Bird (semi-finalist for The O'Neill), Inspired By True Events, Nora Highland (semi-finalist for The O'Neill), Blessed and Highly Favored. Ryan will appear in the upcoming seasons of “The Bite" (recurring, CBS Spectrum Originals) and “Modern Love” (Amazon). His play Nora Highland was shot as a feature film during the pandemic, and it had its world premiere at NewFest: New York's LGBT Film Festival. He's been published by Rotten Tomatoes, American Theatre Magazine, USA Today, and is a graduate of The Juilliard School.
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Nathan Winkelstein
Nathan Winkelstein is the Associate Artistic Director at Red Bull Theater. He has acted or directed for numerous companies around the country and in the UK, including Red Bull Theater, Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, Shakespeare Theater Company, W.H.A.T., LCT, The Folger, Stella Adler, The Tobacco Factory, American Shakespeare Center and others. Nathan has taught for Red Bull, STC, LCT, TGS, Maggie Flanigan and Shakespeare Forum. He is the host of Red Bull theater 'RamarkaBULL Podversations' where he has discussed Shakespeare with such luminaries as Michael Urie, André De Shields, Kate Burton and more. Nathan received his BA in Theater from the University at Buffalo and his MFA in Classical Acting from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School in the UK.
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Sophie von Haselberg
Sophie von Haselberg is a New York-based actor. Recent TV includes: Halston (Netflix), Pose (FX), American Crime Story: Versace (Netflix), Wizard of Lies (HBO), and the ribald-but-little-seen American Princess (Lifetime). Film work includes: Equity, Ask For Jane, Irrational Man, and the upcoming Give Me Pity. She produced and starred in the short YOYO, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival. She is also the co-host of Having A Night, a podcast dedicated to reviving the lost art of the dinner party! BA: Yale University. MFA: Yale School of Drama. You can find her @sophievonhaselberg and @havinganight
