Robert Sean Leonard to Be Crowned in CAMELOT at Westport Country Playhouse.

[sheppa.livejournal.com]

Tony Award-winning actor Robert Sean Leonard, best known for tv's "House," film's "Dead Poet's Society," and Broadway's "The Invention of Love" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night," will portRay King Arthur in Lerner and Loewe's "Camelot," a freshly inventive take on the classic musical, at Westport Country Playhouse, October 4 - 30.


The love triangle of King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, and Sir Lancelot will be a reimagined version, with book adapted by David Lee, and helmed by Mark Lamos, Playhouse artistic director.

Robert Sean Leonard recently appeared on stage as Atticus Finch in "To Kill a Mockingbird" in London. He has performed in the Broadway productions of "The Invention of Love" (Tony Award); "Long Day's Journey into Night" (Tony nomination); "Born Yesterday"; "The Violet Hour"; "The Music Man"; "The Iceman Cometh"; "Arcadia"; "Candida" (Tony nomination); "Philadelphia, Here I Come!"; "The Speed of Darkness"; "Breaking the Code"; and "Brighton Beach Memoirs." He appeared in Westport Country Playhouse's production of "Brighton Beach Memoirs" in 1986.

Leonard's Off-Broadway credits include "Prodigal Son," "Fifth of July," "Sally's Gone, She Left Her Name," "The Beach House," "You Never Can Tell," and "When She Danced." He also appeared in the West End revival of "Our Town" with Alan Alda. Regional credits include "King Lear," "Pygmalion" (The Old Globe Theatre); "Long Day's Journey into Night" (Huntington Theatre Company); "Dead End" (Williamstown Theatre Festival); and "The Glass Menagerie" (Baltimore Center Stage).

Born in New Jersey, Leonard began acting at age 14 at The Public Theater in New York. At 19, he made his film debut in the acclaimed "Dead Poet's Society." His film credits include "Much Ado About Nothing," "The Age of Innocence," "Mr. & Mrs. Bridge," "Swing Kids," "Tape," "Chelsea Walls," and Whit Stillman's "The Last Days of Disco." He appeared for eight seasons on the Fox medical drama "House."

"Camelot" Production Sponsors are Howard J. Aibel; Czekaj Artistic Productions; and Barbara and John Samuelson. Productions Partners are Carol and Peter Seldin. Corporate Production Partners are BNY Mellon and Cohen and Wolf.

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Comments

[soophelia.livejournal.com]

Yay!

[srsly-yes.livejournal.com]

Darn, I'm having trouble with my user pics and can't upload the one with RSL as King Arthur in Camelot in Concert at the Granada Theater in 2014. Since I still owe a review on his performance. I'll include what I recall here.
***
While he wasn't a perfect singer, he did a surprisingly good job (check out Music Man). I think his CiC performance edged out Pygmalion. And, to put his singing into perspective, previous Camelot kings' Richard Harris and Richard Burton weren't exactly known for carrying tunes. It's about conveying what's in the heart. RSL sang "Camelot" better than I expected, and "How to Handle a Woman" while a bit strained was simply heartbreaking. I give the latter 4-3/4 out of 5 stars. A standout scene came at the end when Arthur meets a hero-worshipping little boy who sneaked onto the battlefield. Arthur tells him to flea. RSL repeatedly shouts "Run!" into the audience until the boy vanishes from sight. Writing about it gives me goosebumps. I think he was channeling his inner parent.

Another memorable scene: With minimal scenery, RSL jumped out of a chair which doubled as a tree, surprising Guenevere "in the woods". If you recall, he's in semi-costume and wearing tennis shoes (black Converse?). He looked young and absolutely cute. It wasn't a huge drop, but I was impressed with his agility.

Special mention goes to Brandi Burkhardt who played Queen Guenevere. She was in full costume, and wore two or three outfits during the production. They were lovely and she had the figure to show them off (Oh, to be her!). Her singing was effortless and charming. Plus, she brought a down-to-earth warmth to Guenevere that made the character sympathetic.
***
If anyone has the opportunity to buy tickets, I highly recommend doing so.

[sassyjumper.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the mini-review! Hmmm, it's pretty easy to get to Westport from NYC ....

[srsly-yes.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. I don't think you'd be disappointed if you went, even if it's just to hear RSL sing. He does it so rarely.

[discofunction.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the mini-review!

I'd love to hear RSL sing!

[srsly-yes.livejournal.com]

I thought RSL would parlando sing like Burton and Harris before him (and Preston in Music Man), but he actually carried a tune. The role of King Arthur suited him.

I hope you have a chance to hear him sing in a live performance. ♥

[discofunction.livejournal.com]

*sigh*

His talents are endless!

[soophelia.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the review! I wish I could go.

[vanishing-time.livejournal.com]

Damn I was always sad that I missed the CiC. And now I'm too far away! :( (TBH only the plane ticket prices hurt :D)

[scrivo35.livejournal.com]

Sounds good. Thanks for sharing.

[discofunction.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing this! Hopefully some people will go/there will be good press coverage to look forward to!