BOSTON MARRIAGE
by David Mamet
directed by Grant Sorenson
A hilarious, glittering gem of a play, Boston Marriage concerns itself with Anna and Claire, two ladies of leisure in turn-of-the-century America. Situated in a “Boston Marriage,” the colloquial term for two women who lived together independent of men, Anna and Claire are former lovers and unconventional friends. When the two become embroiled in a scandal involving a priceless emerald necklace and interlocking love triangles, they must hatch a plan to resolve the situation without exposing their true identities. Add in a much-abused Irish (or Scottish?) maid, a last minute séance, and far too much chintz. The result is a frothy and agile comedy of manners that delights and surprises.
Boston Marriage, Mamet's brilliant Sapphic comedy of manners, had its premiere at the Hasty Pudding Theater, produced by A.R.T. in 1999. It made its West End and Off-Broadway premieres in 2002. First seen in Minneapolis at the Guthrie in 2004, Boston Marriage returns to the Twin Cities in a fresh, new staging at Maison Bodega, a 100 year old mansion on Pleasant Avenue.
Grant and Arrow Theater, consisting of Michelle O’Neill, Christine Weber and Miriam Schwartz, put on an incredible eight shows with 40 guests.
While researching the history of the house, we found a handful of newspaper articles on the art, music and theater events that we hosted at #maisonbodega. In efforts to continue the cultural history of Pleasant Ave., we opened our home to director Grant Sorenson, who produced David Mamet’s Boston Marriage.
* indicates a member of Actors' Equity Association
Michelle O'Neill
THEATER Guthrie Theater: The Royal Family, The Crucible, Skiing on Broken Glass, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Much Ado About Nothing, The Winter’s Tale, Macbeth, The Intelligent Homosexual…, Peer Gynt, The Merchant of Venice, Intimate Apparel. Broadway: The Heiress, Abe Lincoln in Illinois; Shakespeare Theatre; Jersey Shakespeare Festival; Ahmanson Theatre; Indiana Rep; Sundance Playwrights Lab; Jungle Theater; New Epic Theater. FILM/TELEVISION The Devil’s Own, The Pelican Brief, Parade, Older Than America, Hap and Ashley, “Third Watch,” “Under One Roof.” TEACHINGUniversity of Minnesota. TRAINING Juilliard School
Christine Weber
THEATER Guthrie Theater: Pride and Prejudice, The Winter's Tale,A Christmas Carol, Romeo and Juliet (co-produced with The Acting Company), When We Are Married, The Merchant of Venice; University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program: When I Was a Ghost; Jungle Theater: Little Women; Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Great Lakes Theater Festival and Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival: Twelfth Night, My Fair Lady, Love's Labour's Lost, As You Like It; Aquila Morong Studio; Walking Shadow Theatre Company; Theatre L'Homme Dieu; Children's Theatre Company. THEATER DIRECTION (selected): LOFTrecital: Images of Akhmatova; Laughing Wild Productions: Tigers Be Still, Wannsee (workshop); Artistry: Striking 12. TRAINING University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program
Miriam Schwartz
THEATER Guthrie Theater: Indecent, Born Yesterday; Minnesota Jewish Theatre: Church and State, DAI (Enough), Jericho, Bad Jews, Becoming Dr. Ruth, Handle With Care; Prime Productions: Little Wars; Workhaus Collective: Homegrown, The Hollow; Theatre Forever: The Brutes. TELEVISION “The Sealed Order of Liv Ullmann” (HBO, Master Class), “Biz Kid$” (PBS). TRAINING B.F.A., University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater Actor Training Program
Grant Sorenson
THEATER DIRECTION Arrow Theater: Vincent River; 7th House Theater: The Great Work, Little Shop of Horrors; Theater Latte Da: Cabaret, Aida; Minnesota Fringe Festival: Spring Awakening. AS ACTOR Guthrie Theater; Theater Latte Da; 7th House Theater; Children's Theatre Company; Yellow Tree Theater; Frank Theater; New Epic Theater; The Playwright's Center. AWARDS 2016 Ivey Award, Now or Later. TRAINING University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.