Casa Valentina
Casa Valentina is a play written by Harvey Fierstein which premiered on Broadway in April 2014 and opened in London in September 2015. It tells the story of men who spend weekends at a resort in the Catskill mountains, dressed as women.
Background
The play was suggested by the book Casa Susanna, written by Michel Hurst and Robert Swope.[1]
Productions
Casa Valentina premiered on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in a Manhattan Theatre Club production on April 1, 2014 in previews, officially on April 23, 2014. Directed by Joe Mantello, the cast featured Patrick Page (George/Valentina), Gabriel Ebert (Jonathon/Miranda), John Cullum (Terry), Reed Birney (Charlotte), Tom McGowan (Bessie), Larry Pine (The Judge/Amy) and Mare Winningham (Rita). [2] Scenic design was by Scott Pask, costumes by Rita Ryack and lighting by Justin Townsend.[3] The play had music by Fitz Patton, with Christopher Gattelli as dance consultant.[4] The play closed on June 29, 2014 after 79 performances and 24 previews.[4] [5]
The play made its London debut at the Southwark Playhouse on September 10, 2015 in previews, running through October 10. Directed by Luke Sheppard, the cast featured Tamsin Carroll (Rita), Ben Deery (Miranda), Charlie Hayes (Eleanor), Bruce Montague (Terry), Robert Morgan (Amy), Matt Rixon (Bessie), Ashley Robinson (Gloria), Gareth Snook (Charlotte) and Edward Wolstenholme (Valentina).[6][7]
Plot
Casa Valentina is a small hotel in the resort area of the Catskill Mountains in New York. In the early 1960s, Casa Valentina has, as guests, heterosexual men who dress and act as women. They are faced with a decision whether to become an official organization.
Critical reception
The reviewer for theatermania wrote that Casa Valentina is "far and away the best new play of the season."[8]
Awards and nominations
Casa Valentina received an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award.[9]
The play received two nominations for the 2014 Outer Critics Circle Award: Outstanding New Broadway Play and Outstanding Featured Actress In A Play (Mare Winningham);[10] Mare Winningham won the award in a tie (with Andrea Martin, of Act One).[11]
Casa Valentina was nominated for three 2014 Drama League Awards: Outstanding Production Of A Broadway Or Off-Broadway Play, and Distinguished Performance Award (Reed Birney and Gabriel Ebert).[12]
Reed Birney won the 2014 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play.[13][4]
Casa Valentina received four 2014 Tony Award nominations: Best Play, Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Reed Birney), Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play (Mare Winningham) and Best Costume Design of a Play (Rita Ryack).[14][4]
References
- ^ Purcell, Carey. "MTC To Present Broadway World Premiere of Harvey Fierstein's Casa Valentina" Playbill, September 9, 2013, accesed May 15, 2016
- ^ "The Verdict: Critics Review Harvey Fierstein's New Broadway Play Casa Valentina" Playbill, April 24, 2014
- ^ Purcell, Carey. "Harvey Fierstein's Casa Valentina, Starring Patrick Page, John Cullum and Gabriel Ebert, Opens on Broadway" Playbill, April 23, 2014
- ^ a b c d "Casa Valentina Listing" Playbill, accessed May 12, 2016
- ^ Purcell, Carey. "Harvey Fierstein's Casa Valentina Closes Its Doors June 29" Playbill, June 29, 2014
- ^ Shenton, Mark. "London Premiere of Harvey Fierstein's Casa Valentina Begins Tonight" Playbill, September 10, 2015
- ^ Caird, Joe. "Casa Valentina (Southwark Playhouse)" whatsonstage.com,17 September 2015
- ^ Gordon, David. "Reviews. 'Casa Valentina'" theatermania.com, April 23, 2014
- ^ Casa Valentina Listing manhattantheatreclub.com, accessed April 24, 2014
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Awards Nominations Announced; 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder' Leads the Pack" playbill.com, April 22, 2014
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "64th Annual Outer Critics Circle Award Winners Announced; 'Gentleman's Guide' Wins Four Awards" playbill.com, May 12, 2014
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "'All the Way', 'Mothers and Sons', 'After Midnight', 'Fun Home', 'Aladdin', 'Beautiful', 'Glass Menagerie', 'Lady Day' and More Are Drama League Nominees" playbill.com, April 23, 2014
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "Winners of 59th Annual Drama Desk Awards Announced; 'Gentleman's Guide' and 'All the Way' Win Top Prizes" playbill.com, June 1, 2014
- ^ Gans, Andrew. "68th Annual Tony Awards Nominations Announced; 'Gentleman's Guide' Leads the Pack" playbill.com, April 29, 2014