Sally Murphy (standing on right) with Deanna Dunagan, Rondi Reed and Francis Guinan in AUGUST:OSAGE COUNTY
Extraordinary acting is now happening in three plays about dysfunctional families on Broadway and Off-Broadway, by a group of actors who have been studying the Alexander Technique over the years with Jean-Louis Rodrigue. Sally Murphy is a long time member of the Steppenwolf company and is currently starring in the Broadway hit “AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY” by Tracy Letts. Sally came to study with Jean-Louis several years ago after a experiencing an injury during a performance of “Carousel”. She studied the Alexander Technique for several years and recovered completely from the injury. The play has received wide acclaim and the New York Times confirms that “The cast does not have a weak link, and the other major female roles, in particular, are rewarding and perfectly played. Ms. Murphy’s sad-eyed Ivy has a plaintive tenderness that occasionally flares up into a defensive assertion of the justice of her needs.” Bravo Sally.
Harold Pinter‘s 1967 Tony Award-winning Best Play returns to Broadway in a new production under the direction of Tony Award-winner Daniel Sullivan (Rabbit Hole, Proof). Undoubtedly Pinter’s most sexually provocative work, THE HOMECOMING is an edgy and compelling tale of lust, seduction and deception, telling the story of a dysfunctional family that welcomes the homecoming of its estranged brother and competes for the attention of his dangerously alluring wife.
Eve Best, Ian McShane, and James Frain in The Homecoming
James Frain, who has been studying the Alexander Technique with Jean-Louis, plays Teddy, the oldest brother in the family and the husband of Ruth, played by amazing Eve Best. The New York Times hails the extraordinary cast: “IAN MCSHANE is dazzling in Harold Pinter’s masterpiece. The fine cast also includes benchmark performances by the remarkable RAUL ESPARZA and EVE BEST, who is an absolute knockout. MICHAEL MCKEAN gives a beautifully calibrated, heartbreaking performance as the proper, dutiful Sam. And the relatively unknown GARETH SAXE and JAMES FRAIN are superb as the dopey, brawny Joey and the disdainful, uxorious Teddy.”
Bo Eason performing in Runt of the Litter
“RUNT OF THE LITTER“, the one-person play written and performed by Bo Eason and directed by Larry Moss is currently running at the 37 Arts Theater in New York. Bo has been studying the Alexander Technique for several years with Jean-Louis and is an incredibly disciplined actor. He describes the work in the following way: “As a professional athlete and now a performer on a different stage, I know the importance and the power of the body. The body is how we communicate twenty-four hour a day. Your words may lie, but the body always tells the truth. Jean-Louis has helped me uncover the truth in my body— and gives me the power and security and permission to express myself as an actor on a whole new level.” Jean-Louis literally choreographed many of the moments in the play and this is what Michael Criscuolo of NYTheatre.com had to say: “Eason’s career as an athlete has served him well for the stage. Not only are his emotions always near the surface and easily accessible to him, but he’s also very in touch with his body. He moves smoothly, gracefully, energetically, without fear or embarrassment. He’s very physically expressive, has a lot of fun, and knows what his limits are. All of these factors help serve his performance, which is superb. He has an ease on stage that is rarely seen even in seasoned veterans, and charisma that is riveting. He commands the stage with his every word and move.”
http://www.runtofthelitter.com
