HTC Returns From War in “Time Stands Still”

January 3, 2015January 8, 2015 East End Beacon 0 Comments

“Time Stands Still,” the story of a New York photojournalist’s recovery from the impact of covering the Iraq war, will be the second production of the Hampton Theatre Company’s 30th anniversary season.

The play opens on Jan. 8 at the Quogue Community Hall, and runs through Jan. 25.

This Tony-nominated drama by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies premiered in 2009 at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, and ran on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and again at the Cort Theatre in 2010.

“Time Stands Still,” set in Brooklyn, is the story of Sarah Goodwin, a photojournalist who has returned from covering the Iraq war after being injured by a roadside bomb. Her boyfriend James Dodd, a reporter, is wracked with guilt over having left Sarah alone in Iraq.

John Carlin and Sandy York in HTC's production of "Time Stands Still." Tom Kochie photo — John Carlin and Sandy York in HTC’s production of “Time Stands Still.” Tom Kochie photo

The couple receives a visit from their friend Richard Erlich, a photo editor, and his much younger and uncomplicated girlfriend, Mandy, which causes them to wonder about their chance at leading a conventional life.

Charles Isherwood of The New York Times said “the heart of “Time Stands Still” lies in the gently evolving relationship between Sarah and James, which develops troubling new ripples in each scene,” while Joe Dziemianowicz of the New York Daily News said Margulies “writes with intelligence and humour and creates dialogue that always hits the ear as real.”

“Time Stands Still” is the Hampton Theatre Company debut for all four members of this cast, all of whom have lengthy New York City and regional theater credits.

Sandy York will play the role of Sarah Goodwin; James Dodd will be played by John Carlin; John L. Payne plays Richard Erlich and Kate Kenney plays the young event planner, Mandy. HTC Executive Director Sarah Hunnewell will direct.

“Time Stands Still” runs at the Quogue Community Hall from Jan. 8 through 25, with shows on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m.

The Hampton Theatre Company is offering special dinner and theater packages in collaboration with the Southampton, Westhampton Beach, Hampton Bays, Quogue and Riverhead libraries. Information is available on the HTC website or through the libraries.

To reserve tickets, visit www.hamptontheatre.org, or call OvationTix at 1.866.811.4111.