Abstract
Odets considered Paradise Lost to be the favorite of his plays. First produced by the Group Theatre in 1935, the play voices the suffering, hope, and shattered dreams of a country in throes of financial crisis. Three- quarters of a century later, Americans are still wrestling the demons of nihilism and idealism, charity and greed, self-interest and compassion. Visionary director Daniel Fish creates a bold new production of this powerful play that grabs a hold of the American dream and asks if our optimism is a force for good or merely a delusion, a means of survival or one of escape.
CAST
Leo Gordon -- David Chandler
Clara, his wife -- Sally Wingert
Ben, their son -- Hale Appleman
Julie, their younger son -- T. Ryder Smith
Pearl, their daughter -- Therese Plaehn
Gus Michaels, a family friend -- Thomas Derrah
Libby Michaels, his daughter -- Merritt Janson
Sam Katz, Leo's partner -- Jonathan Epstein
Bertha, his wife -- Adrianne Krstansky
Kewpie -- Karl Bury
Mr. Pike, the furnace man -- Michael Rudko
Mr. May -- T. Ryder Smith
Felix -- Cameron oro
Phil Foley -- Remo Airaldi
Newspaper Man -- Anthony Gaskins
Schnabel, Rogo, Lucy, Milton, Homeless men, Detectives -- Ensemble
CREDITS
Director -- Daniel Fish
Scenic Design -- Andrew Lieberman
Costume Design -- Kaye Voyce
Lighting Design -- Scott Zielinksi
Sound Design -- Clive Goodwin
Video Design -- Joshua Thorson
Stage Manager -- Katherine Shea
Voice and Speech -- Nancy Houfek
Dramaturgy -- Whitney Eggers