The Night of the Iguana



October 7-23, 2010

Thursdays-Saturdays, 7:30pm
at the Columbia Performance Center

The Night of the Iguana Logo

Considered one of Tennessee Williams’ finest plays, The Night of the Iguana is full of intense drama, biting wit and sexual tension. Set in 1940s Mexico, an American widow endeavors to keep both her tropical hotel and her love life intact. Her guests include: the defrocked Reverend Shannon, desperately struggling with addictions to alcohol and young women; the ethereal yet penniless artist Hannah Jelkes; her grandfather Nonno, “the oldest living and practicing poet;” a family of boisterous Germans; and a difficult busload of Baptist women. This Tony Award-winning play by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Tennessee Williams is a provocative exploration of human struggle and passion.

Purchase Tickets online Purchase Tickets online now!

NET Announces Cast for THE NIGHT OF THE IGUANA

September 1st, 2010

Ensemble includes local favorites Kate Wilford and Annie Fitzpatrick

The Night of the IguanaCINCINNATI, OH– New Edgecliff Theatre announced today the cast of The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams, the first show of its 2010-2011 Season. The production will feature two local favorites: Annie Fitzpatrick and Kate Wilford (both members of Actors Equity Association), supported by a strong cast of Cincinnati and Dayton actors.


Ms. Wilford, who won Acclaim and CEA Awards for her portrayal of Linda Loman in NET’s production of Death of a Salesman, will be tackling the role of the lusty Maxine Faulk. The recently widowed hotel proprietor is at the end of her rope, desperate for affection. Kate Wilford playfully refers to the character as the “first 20th century cougar!”

Making her first appearance on the NET stage, Annie Fitzpatrick will play the role of Hannah Jelkes, a beautiful and penniless spinster from Nantucket.

Joining Ms. Fitzpatrick and Ms. Wilford onstage will be Nathan Neorr as the Reverend Shepherd. This is a return to the New Edgecliff stage for Mr. Neorr, who was last seen at the Columbia Performance Center in Sam Shepherd’s Fool for Love in 2007.

Also appearing: Bob Allen, Isaac Berger, Jacqueline Carey, Josafat Celedon, Christine Dye, Mindy Heithaus, Mindy Seibert, Chris Shea and Brandon Wentz.

Says Artistic Director Jim Stump: “We are thrilled to have collected this strong ensemble for such a challenging and enthralling piece of theatre. We are particularly excited to see the work that Kate Wilford and Annie Fitzpatrick bring to the stage.”

The Night of the Iguana runs October 7th-23rd at the Columbia Performance Center. Tickets are already available and may be purchased by phone at 888.588.0137 or online at newedgecliff.com. Special NET/Flex packages are available for groups of 4 or more. The production is made possible by the generous support of season sponsor David Robertson and The Fine Arts Fund.

About the Production: Considered one of Tennessee Williams’ finest plays, The Night of the Iguana is full of intense drama, biting wit and sexual tension. Set in 1940s Mexico, an American widow endeavors to keep both her tropical hotel and her love life intact. Her guests include: the defrocked Reverend Shannon, desperately struggling with addictions to alcohol and young women; the ethereal yet penniless artist Hannah Jelkes; her grandfather Nonno, “the oldest living and practicing poet;” a family of boisterous Germans; and a difficult busload of Baptist women. This Tony Award-winning play by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Tennessee Williams is a provocative exploration of human struggle and passion.

About New Edgecliff Theatre: Established in 1998, New Edgecliff Theatre’s mission is to create a powerful artistic experience utilizing local professionals and stressing the fundamental communion between actor and audience. Now in its 13th season, the company has won numerous awards and accolades for its innovative productions, including American Buffalo, Death of a Salesman, The Cincinnati Directors Competition and most recently, Equus. In addition to The Night of the Iguana, the 2010-2011 lineup includes The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, The Santaland Diaries, the Cincinnati Directors Competition 4 and [title of show]. New Edgecliff Theatre is a member of the League of Cincinnati Theatres.

# # #

Download PDFDownload this press release

Auditions for The Night of the Iguana

July 27th, 2010

Auditions Announcement

New Edgecliff Theatre will be holding auditions for our upcoming production of The Night of the Iguana on August 9th and 10th. Auditions will be held at the Essex Studios from 6pm-10pm both evenings. The production, directed by Elizabeth A. Harris, will run from October 7th-23rd at the Columbia Performance Center.

Audition Information

Production: The Night of the Iguana by Tennessee Williams
Directed by: Elizabeth A. Harris
Rehearsal Timeframe: September 12th-October 6th, 2010
Performance Dates: October 7th-9th, 14th-16th and 21st-23rd, 2010

Audition Dates & Times: August 9th & 10th, 6pm-10pm
Callback Date & Time: August 11th, 6pm-10pm
Audition Location: Cincinnati Actors Studio at the Essex Studios, 2511 Essex Place, Cincinnati, OH 45206
For more information: Please contact Managing Director Devon Campailla: dcampailla@newedgecliff.com

Please Prepare: Come prepared to read from the script (sides will be provided when you arrive). You may be asked to participate in a short improv for some minor roles. Please bring a headshot and resume if you have one. You will be asked to complete an audition form, so please arrive 5-10 minutes prior to your audition time in order to complete.

Cast Breakdown:

Major Characters

1. Maxine Faulk– the middle-aged padrona of the Costa Verde Hotel. She has recently been widowed; her husband Fred has died. Even before his death, Maxine was sleeping with other men, mostly local boys. Maxine is an old friend of Shannon’s.
2. Reverend Shannon– a middle-aged minister who lost his church when he had an improper relationship with a Sunday school teacher. Shannon becomes a tour guide, leading groups in many different countries. He leads his current group to the Costa Verde Hotel after he has sex with one of his young charges. Shannon suffers a crisis verging on breakdown at the hotel.
3. Judith Fellows–the leader of the group for which Shannon is acting as tour guide.
4. Hannah Jelkes– a middle-aged spinster from New England. She travels the world with her elderly grandfather, Jonathon Coffin. Hannah is an artist who paints watercolors and sketches people in charcoal and pastels.
5. Nonno/Jonathan Coffin– the elderly grandfather of Hannah Jelkes. He is nearly 98 years “young” and a minor poet. Coffin is somewhat senile, very hard of hearing, and uses a wheelchair and a cane to get around
6. Charlotte Goodall– the young girl whom Shannon has sex with on the tour. She is very much in love with him and wants to get married.

Minor Characters

1. Hank– Shannon’s companion on Blake Tours and bus driver
2. Pedro—employee of the hotel (ability to speak Spanish/Spanish dialect a plus)
3. Pancho– employee of the hotel (ability to speak Spanish/Spanish dialect a plus)
4. Herr Fahrenkopf—tank manufacturer from Frankfort staying at the hotel (ability to do a German dialect/speak German a plus)
5. Frau Fahrenkopf—Herr’s wife (ability to do a German dialect/speak German a plus)
6. Hilda—the bride staying at the hotel (ability to do a German dialect a plus)
7. Wolfgang—Hilda’s father (ability to do a German dialect a plus)
8. Jake Latta—employee of Blake Tours who comes to take over Shannon’s position

Payment: All roles are stipend paid based on the role.

To learn more about the show, click here.