Long Wharf Receives Play Award

Long Wharf Theatre has been named a recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award for its 2009-10 world premiere of Lil’s 90th by Darci Picoult.

The Edgerton Foundation funding supports an extension of the rehearsal period with the goal of achieving a stronger first production, which will hopefully increase the chances of a continued life for the plays.

“The hope is that extra rehearsal time will help these plays become mainstays of the American theatrical repertoire,” said Dr. Brad Edgerton, president of the Edgerton Foundation.

The award funds invaluable additional rehearsal, says Long Wharf Theatre dramaturg and literary manager April Donahower. “Time is a precious yet all too scarce commodity when it comes to the development of a new play. The Edgerton Foundation award offers playwright Darci Picoult -- and the creative team and cast -- valuable extra days in the rehearsal room during which she can continue the discovery process."

In Picoult’s playful and poignant new play, Lillian and her family are putting the finishing touches on the much-anticipated party at which she’ll make her singing debut. There’s a speech to be written, a band to rehearse and an outfit to choose. But then Lil’s husband Charlie’s secret gets out and the birthday surprise that he hoped would make her day instead may tear their lives apart. Lil’s 90th shows that when reason fails, it is the power of love that stands the test of aging. David Margulies (The Price and Rocket to the Moon at Long Wharf Theatre) and his real-life partner Lois Smith will star in Long Wharf’s world premiere production.

For more information on the plays being honored, visit www.tcg.org/tools/newplays/index.cfm.
For more information about Long Wharf Theatre’s 2009-10 season or its summer programming, visit www.longwharf.org or call 203-787-4282