The Road to Mecca: B'way premiere of Athol Fugard play

Roundabout Theatre Company will present the Broadway premiere of Athol Fugard's The Road to Mecca, opening at the American Airlines Theatre on 17 Jan 2012, following previews from 16 Dec 2011, for a limited engagement through to 4 Mar 2012.

Set in the region of South Africa known as the Karoo, The Road to Mecca tells the story of an elderly woman who has spent the years since her husband's death transforming her home into an intricate and dazzling work of art. The reclusive Miss Helen has become depressed and appears increasingly unable to care for herself. Pastor Marius Byleveld, who embodies the village's conservative values, is determined to get Miss Helen into an old-age home. Her friend Elsa, a young teacher from Cape Town who is deeply suspicious of the patriarchal traditions Byleveld represents, is just as determined that Miss Helen remain free.

Directed by Gordon Edelstein, the three-character play will star Rosemary Harris as 'Miss Helen,' Carla Gugino as "Elsa Barlow" and Jim Dale as 'Marius Byleveld.'

The design team includes Michael Yeargan (Sets), Susan Hilferty (Costumes) and John Gromada (Original Music and Sound Design).

Roundabout's production of The Road to Mecca will begin Athol Fugard's 80th birthday celebration which will continue in Feb 2012 at Signature Theatre Company. Signature will launch their theatre's new home, Signature Center with Athol Fugard as its inaugural Residency One playwright. Residency One is Signature's core one year playwright-in-residence program that produces a series of plays from the body of work of one accomplished writer.

The Road to Mecca is produced by the Roundabout by special arrangement with Signature Theatre Company.

South African Athol Fugard was honored with a special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement at the Tony Awards this past season.

Athol Fugard's 'Master Harold...and the Boys' was produced at Roundabout in 2003. The 1987 world premiere production of The Road to Mecca at the National Theatre in London and at the Promenade Theatre off-Broadway was directed by Mr. Fugard. Fugard played the role of "Marius Byleveld" in both productions.

Bios:

Rosemary Harris (Miss Helen) was last seen on the Roundabout stage in the Off-Broadway production of Edward Albee's 'All Over' (2002). Notable Broadway credits include: 'The Royal Family' (2009 - Tony nomination), 'Waiting in the Wings' (1999 - Tony nomination), 'A Delicate Balance' (1996 - Tony nomination), 'Hay Fever' (1985 - Tony nomination), 'Pack of Lies' (1985 - Tony nomination), 'Heartbreak House' (1984 - Tony nomination), 'The Royal Family' (1975 - Tony nomination), 'Old Times' (1971 - Tony nomination) and 'The Lion in Winter' (1966 - Tony Award). Rosemary Harris as had many film roles, but is most probably best known for oplaying 'Aunt May' in all three 'Spider-Man' moives.

Carla Gugino (Elsa Barlow) made her Broadway debut at Roundabout in Arthur Miller's 'After the Fall' (2004) and returned to star in the Off-Broadway production of Tennessee Williams' 'Suddenly Last Summer.' she starred on Broadway in 2009 as 'Abbie Putnam ' in Eugene O'Neill's 'Desire Under the Elms.' Her TV work includes playing "Karen Sisco" in the TV series of the same name, a principal character in "The Buccaneers" and "Dr. Molly Anne CaffreyThreshold," as well as regular guest appearances in "Falcon Crest," "Spin City," "Chicago Hope," "Entourage" and "Californication."

Jim Dale (Marius Byleveld) received Tony Award nominations for both of his performances at Roundabout: 'Joe Egg' (1985) and 'The Threepenny Opera' (2006). Hos other Broadway credits include: 'Scapino' (1974 - Tony nomination), 'Barnum' (1980 - Tony Award), 'Me and My Girl' (1986) and 'Candide' (1997). His voice will be known to millions has he narrated all seven Harry Potter books, and is the narrators voice on the TV series "Pushing Daisies."

Gordon Edelstein (Director) directed Roundabout's first Broadway production 20-years ago: Harold Pinter's 'The Homecoming' at the Criterion Center. Other Broadway credits: 'On the Waterfront' and 'On the Waterfront.' Edelstein returns to Roundabout having most recently directed the Off-Broadway production of 'The Glass Menagerie' (2010 - Lucille Lortel nomination) and Martin McDonagh's 'A Skull in Connemara' (2001).

Athol Fugard (Playwright) is a South African playwright, novelist, actor and director best known for his political plays opposing the South African system of apartheid. He is the recipient of many awards, honors and honorary degrees, including the government of South Africa's Order of Ikhamanga in Silver "for his excellent contribution and achievements in the theatre" (2005), and he is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. His plays include: 'No-Good Friday,' 'Non-Gogo,' 'Blood Knot,' 'Hello and Goodbye,' 'People Are Living There,' 'Boesman and Lena,' 'Statements After an Arrest Under the Immorality Act,' 'Sizwe Banzi Is Dead,' 'Dimetos,' 'The Island,' 'A Lesson From Aloes,' 'Master Harold...and the boys,' 'The Road to Mecca,' 'A Place With the Pigs,' 'My Children! My Africa!,' 'Playland,' 'Valley Song,' 'The Captain's Tiger,' 'Sorrows & Rejoicings,' 'Exits and Entrances,' 'Victory,' 'Coming Home' and 'Have You Seen Us?' In 2006, the film adaptation of his novel 'Tsotsi' was awarded the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.