O'Neill's Hughie in LA Nov. 14-Dec. 13

HUGHIE is Nobel Prize Winning dramatist Eugene O’Neill’s classic two-character play.  Set in the lobby of a seedy Times Square Hotel early one morning in the late ‘20s, its characters are the hotel’s gray withdrawn night clerk, and “Erie” Smith, a penny-ante gambler who has spent most of his last fifteen years at the hotel between periods of drunkenness.  His most recent bender was prompted by the death of the title character who was the night clerk’s predecessor.  Erie babbles through tales of his life’s imaginary successes, as well as his panicky optimism toward the futile future.  The night clerk can only listen to this study in fraudulent glibness which is touching, revealing and a telling measure of what is behind this man’s delusions. 

 

“O'Neill renders a palpable journey into Erie's soul that both invites and compels us to join Erie in supportive community along his resonant path of mourning to ultimate redemption. “

 

HUGHIE is directed by Martha Demson, the Open Fist Theatre Company’s Artistic Director.   Andrew Schlessinger stars as Erie Smith, and Joe Hulser as the Night Clerk.

 

HUGHIE runs November 14 – December 13, Open Fist Theatre, 6209 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90038.  Opening Wednesday Nov 14, 8 PM.  All performances at 8 PM.  Wednesdays:  Nov 14, 21, 28, Dec 5, 12.  Thursdays:  Nov 15, 29, Dec 6, 13.  Sundays:  Nov 18, 25.  Tuesday, Dec 11.