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Ödön von Horváth's Judgment Day

July 14, 2010

Add to Calendar2010-07-14 3:00 pm2010-07-14 3:00 pmESTÖdön von Horváth's Judgment Day
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July 14*, 18, 21, and 25 at 3 pm
July 15–17 and July 22–24 at 8 pm

Tickets $45
 

"One leaves the theatre impatient to see more of Horváth's morally complex and highly atmospheric work." —The Telegraph (London), September 15, 2009
A gripping plot, compelling characters, deceit, melodrama, metaphysics, justice, ethical responsibility—Ödön von Horváth’s thrilling 1937 drama was the runaway hit of London’s fall 2009 season. Thomas, an unhappily married stationmaster in a small town, causes a fatal train crash when he allows a flirtatious young woman to distract him from his duties. The girl perjures herself to defend him, and support for her lie poisons the town, drawing everyone deeper into a moral abyss.

Ödön von Horváth produced a body of work that bore witness to the callous and petty nature of everyday life under fascism. Pointing out the dangers inherent in the political situation of the day, he was forced to flee Berlin for Vienna after Hitler’s ascent to power. When the Nazis annexed Austria in 1938, von Horváth left for Paris, only to be killed that same year (when he was only 36) by a falling tree branch.

The play chillingly captures the story of what has been called “the petty prejudices and rancorous suspicions of an era of epic mean-mindedness.”

Directed by Caitriona McLaughlin

Cast:
 

Herr Hudetz Kevin O'Donnell
Frau Hudetz Stephanie Haberle
Alfons Dashiell Eaves
Anna Hayley Treider
Ferdinand Shawtane Bowen
Landlord Craig Bockhorn
Leni Beth Cole
Frau Leimgruber Kelly McAndrew
Pokorny/Prosecutor Rod Brogan
Kohut/Costumer Sydney Williams
Woodsman/Deputy Joseph Adams
Traveling Salesman/Detective/Kreitmeyer Brandon Dirden
Policeman Eric Miller
Child Isabel LaBarbera / Cassandra LaBarbera

 

* Round-trip transportation from Manhattan to Bard available for this performance. Fare is $20. Reservations are required. Click here for more information or to make a reservation.

Image: Richard A. Cooke III/Getty Images