“An Act of the Imagination” Opens in Quogue
“An Act of the Imagination,” Bernard Slade’s masterful and suspense filled mystery, will be the third play of the Hampton Theatre Company’s 2016-2017 season, opening on March 23 at the Quogue Community Hall and running through April 9.
Set in the 1960s, “An Act of the Imagination” has been described by one reviewer as “one of the wilder rides of drawing room mystery.”
The ingenious plot zeroes in on the mystery writer Arthur Putnam, who has created his first romance after 27 whodunits. His beautiful wife, Julia, and his son from an earlier marriage, Simon, are at first puzzled by the author’s change in subject matter. Their puzzlement turns to horror, though, after a scorned woman attempting to blackmail the author is killed and Arthur becomes the chief suspect.
While plot twists and suspense keep audiences on the edge of their seats, the mystery also asks how much we really know about those who are closest to us, and what can we do when we discover they are not who we think they are?
The cast of “An Act of the Imagination” features three HTC veterans and four newcomers. Playing Arthur Putnam and his wife Julia are Matthew Conlon and Rebecca Edana. Amanda Griemsmann plays Holly Adams, Arthur’s editor.
Joining them are newcomers Jesse Pimpinella, playing Arthur’s son Simon; James M. Lotito Jr. as Detective Sergeant Fred Burchitt; Meggie Doyle as Brenda Simmons; and Cesa Pledger as Brooke Carmichael.
Edward Brennan directs. Set design is by Sean Marbury; lighting design by Sebastian Paczynski; and costumes by Teresa LeBrun.
Playwright Bernard Slade has written extensively for stage, screen and television. Best known among his plays are “Same Time, Next Year” (he was nominated for an Oscar for his screenplay for the film version) and “Tribute.”
“An Act of the Imagination” runs at the Quogue Community Hall from March 23 to April 9 on Thursdays and Fridays at 7, Saturdays at 8 and Sundays at 2:30. There will be an additional matinee performance on Saturday, April 8, at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $25 for seniors (65+, except Saturday evenings). The HTC is offering a special discount price of $15 for audience members under 35. Students under 21 are $10. Group rates available.
The Hampton Theatre Company will again be offering special dinner and theater packages in collaboration with our local libraries as well as a new lunch and matinee package on Saturday, April 8. Information about these packages is available at www.hamptontheatre.org.
To reserve tickets, visit www.hamptontheatre.org, or call OvationTix at 1-866-811-4111.
