October 28 – November 1
(Lenox, MA) – Shakespeare & Company is excited to announce the return of Martha Mitchell Calling by Jodi Rothe featuring critically acclaimed Annette Miller. This special 4-day only, new virtual adaptation is directed by filmmaker Mark Farrell, and runs October 28 – November 1, 2020. The riveting dark comedy re-examines the life and legacy of the flamboyant, and often outrageous, Martha Mitchell, who ultimately played the pivotal role in the downfall of Nixon’s Presidency, after discovering the Watergate conspiracy.
“We are thrilled to be able to revive Jodi Rothe’s wonderfully biting and timely piece at this critical point in history,” said Artistic Director Allyn Burrows. “We look forward to seeing people again in person here at Shakespeare & Company, but for now we’re embracing different platforms and are happy to bring Annette Miller back in a signature role for her.”
Shakespeare & Company originally premiered Martha Mitchell Calling which played to rave reviews in its 2006 season (also featuring Miller) when it was selected as one of ten best regional plays by The Boston Globe. This new 60-minute film adaptation will be broadcast on the Vimeo platform, and features Elliot Norton, IRNE and Berkie Award-winning actor Miller as Martha Mitchell and Kale Browne, well-known television, film and stage actor as John Mitchell. Directed by Farrell, and produced by Shakespeare & Company’s Elizabeth Aspenlieder, the piece was shot on location at Ventfort Hall in the Berkshires with costumes by Govane Lohbauer and technical support by Kevin Harvell.
Join Shakespeare & Company ‘virtually’ as Martha transports us to the era of the secrets of H.R. Haldeman, John Ehrlichman and her husband, Attorney General John Mitchell, who subverted the law and put American liberty in jeopardy. Witness the truth as seen through Martha’s eyes and told through the voice of the woman who blew the whistle on the conspiracies going on in the shadows of the Nixon White House. Is today yesterday?
“For me, the silver lining around these very difficult times we’re in is that all the molds have been broken. It’s an opportunity to reimagine so many things,” said Farrell. “This is our take on what the theater experience can look like from our homes. I’m so thankful to Shakespeare & Company for allowing us the freedom to share it with you.”
“‘Point your finger at that Madman in the Whitehouse’ with these words Martha Mitchell is calling all of us to action now in 2020 more than when I first created her in 2006,” said Miller. “She predicted ‘One day y’all will ask where is Martha now, now that we need her?’ Thank you Shakespeare & Company for giving me the opportunity to speak her truth to power in this new virtual production.”
Portrayed with humor, candor and disarming pathos, this riveting work re-examines the life and legacy of Martha Mitchell. A southern debutante who dreamt of fame, her marriage to John Mitchell was a love story come true — until she was forced to choose between patriotism and personal happiness. The personal cost was tragic and she faded away to a forgotten end.
“It’s exciting to be able to produce our work in this way, from live to tape for Martha Mitchell Calling. No easy feat during a pandemic,” said Aspenlieder, “but by following extremely strict and thorough COVID-19 safety guidelines from the Screen Actors Guild, and with the support from State Representative Smitty Pignatelli and Berkshire Health Systems, we’ve all remained safe and COVID-free, while creating art at the same time!”
Tickets
Register online at https://shakespeare.org/shows/2020/martha-mitchell-calling by making a suggested donation to Shakespeare & Company. For more information on this performance and others visit shakespeare.org.
Talk back
Additionally, after the performance on Sunday, November 1, at 8:30pm, Shakespeare & Company hosts a special talk back, via Webinar Jam, featuring filmmaker Mark Farrell, producer Elizabeth Aspenlieder, actress Annette Miller, and playwright Jodi Rothe. Allyn Burrows hosts, and all are welcomed to join the conversation. Registration for the talkback is required, visit shakespeare.org for more information.
Performances
Wednesday, October 28 at 7:30
Thursday, October 29 at 7:30
Friday, October 30 at 7:30
Sunday, November 1 at 7:30
Creative Team
Martha Mitchell by Jodi Rothe
Directed by Mark Farrell
Produced by Elizabeth Aspenlieder
Costumes by Govane Lohbauer
Technical support Kevin Harvell
Martha Mitchell played by Annette Miller
John Mitchell played by Kale Browne\
Bios
Kale Browne: (John Mitchell): Films include “A Tree, A Rock, A Cloud”, “Codes of Conduct”, “Like Lambs”, “Damsel, “‘Til There Was You”; “Losin’ It”, with Tom Cruise; “Scruples”, “Prophet of Evil”, “Challenger”; “Die Trying”, “Half Past Dead”, “Woman On The Ledge” and more. Television: 15 years Michael Hudson / NBC-TV’s “Another World”, 4 years Sam Rappa- port, “One Life To Live” ABC-TV; recurring roles include Dr. Miles Berman, “Days of Our Lives”, NBC-TV; Dead Denny, All My Children”, ABC-TV; as well as General Hospital, Guiding Light and Ryan’s Hope. Starred in CBS-TV pilot “Mr. & Mrs. & Mr.”, NBC-TV Special, “The Color Game”. Theater: Arthur A. Robertson, NYC Signature Theater revival of Arthur Miller’s “The American Clock”, the Matrix Theater, Los Angeles premiere of “The Strawberry Man”, “With Friends Like These” directed by Christopher Hart, as well as the American Shake- speare Festival, Stratford, La Mama ETC, Roundabout Theater, California Shakespeare Festival, New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, San Diego National Shakespeare Festivals and numerous Off-Off B’way productions. Adjunct professor Film Studies, Simon’s Rock Bard College. Director / Actor, “No Boundaries in Art”, Berkshire Theater Festival. Biggs Darklighter in N.P.R.’s production of “Star Wars” with original cast.
Mark Farrell (Director): Over his long career, Mark has produced, directed and written in all formats and genres, mainly focused on comedy, music, and social consciousness. His credits include several features and short films, documentaries and hundreds of hours of television. Along with producing the pilot of Curb Your Enthusiasm for HBO and Off the Record with Bono and the Edge for HBO, Mark produced, directed and co-wrote two seasons of Z-Rock, a single camera (“Curb-meets-Spinal-Tap”) sitcom for IFC, Ben Stiller’s Comedy Roundtable with Ben Stiller, Jim Carrey, Chris Rock and Bill Hader for Epix, Eleven A&E Biographies including Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Aniston and Red Hot Chili Peppers, and much, much more.
Annette Miller (Martha Mitchell): S&Co; Received the 2018 Berkshire Theater Critics Association Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role as Katherine in Mothers and Sons, Elliot Norton and Irne Award for best actress as Golda Meir (2003); Elliot Norton best actress nomination for Martha in Martha Mitchell Calling (2006). Florida Carbonell Award best actress nomination for Vi in August Osage County (2012). Currently touring her original theatrical collage Now is Our Time – the Pleasures and Perils of our Third Chapter. and a new play Prime Time, Favorite roles: Vera, 4000 Miles; Bernadette Kahn, Sotto Voce; Maria Callas, Master Class; Duchess, Richard III; Marjorie Taub, The Allergist’s Wife; Queen Elinor, King John; Maria, Twelfth Night; Ruth Steiner, Collected Stories (S&Co). Paula Strasberg, Nobody Dies on Friday; Lillian Hellman, Cake Walk U/S, Elaine Stritch (American Rep. Co); Arkadina, The Seagull. B’Way: The Odd Couple Female Version. Film: Company Men, Next Karate Kid, Autumn Heart. TV: “As The World Turns.” BA & BFA Brandeis. Currently a resident Scholar at Brandeis University Women’s Studies Research Center.
About Shakespeare & Company
Located in the beautiful Berkshires of Western Massachusetts, Shakespeare & Company is one of the leading Shakespeare festivals of the world. Founded in 1978, the organization attracts over 40,000 patrons annually. The Company is also home to an internationally renowned Center for Actor Training and award-winning Education Program. Learn more at www.shakespeare.org.
Shakespeare & Company gratefully acknowledges the support of the Mass Cultural Council.
