Christmas Carol

The latest edition of the Williamstown Newsletter contained the following announcement:

"Festival Artistic Director Roger Rees will read Charles Dickens’ A CHRISTMAS CAROL on Saturday, December 9 at 7:00 pm in Griffin 3 on the Williams College Campus. Mr. Rees will present the version that Dickens himself performed during his day, including on his American tours. The reading will be introduced by Michael Patrick Hearn, noted literary scholar. Following the reading, Rees and Hearn will sign copies of Hearn’s The Annotated Christmas Carol which will be available for purchase by arrangement with Water St. Books. There is no admission charge. Griffin Hall 3, is at 844 Main St., across from the Williams College Museum of Art. The reading is part of the annual Holiday Walk Weekend presented by the Williamstown Chamber of Commerce. This annual event draws people to Williamstown for shopping, entertainment, and a winter weekend of holiday cheer."

Does Anybody Know?

There is a new exhibition at the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts celebrating the 75th anniversary of the founding of its Billy Rose Theatre Division with "Stars and Treasures: 75 Years of Collecting Theatre," a major exhibition showcasing rare and unique artifacts from the more than 9 million items in its collections. Roger is mentioned as one of the contributors, but I can't find a mention of what he has contributed to the exhibition. Does anybody know?

See: New York Public Library.

Mary Poppins

On the 16th Roger attended the opening night of "Mary Poppins" at the New Amsterdam Theatre. According to Playbill.com he "delivers the very civil cellphone warning before the show".

See Playbill.

Stoppard tribute

Roger hosted Williamstown's tribute to Tom Stoppard last Monday night at the Puck Building in New York. Broadway World has a series of pictures of the contributors at:

Broadway World

Juniper Tree

Roger will direct The Juniper Tree, a 1985 chamber opera based on a particularly gruesome Grimm fairy tale, in New York next spring. The opera was composed equally by Philip Glass and Robert Moran, the libretto is by Arthur Yorinks.

The Collegiate Chorale is presenting The Juniper Tree as part of its "American Masters" series on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 at 8 p.m. at Alice Tully Hall in New York City's Lincoln Center.

East Broadway

The official site for the film "East Broadway" has a small stills gallery which contains some pictures of Roger.

See the official website.

The Prestige

Roger appears in the new film "The Prestige" as Owens. Reviews so far don't always mention him, but when he is mentioned he gets a favourable review.

See the official website

The IMDb has a picture gallery, which includes this one:

"Going Under" in Boston

"Going Under" will be shown in Boston's Brattle Theater, November 17-19, 2006. The film seems to be getting only a very limited release for the moment, with short runs in just a few places.

This is what the press release says:

GOING UNDER
BRATTLE THEATER
Cambridge, MA
November 17-19, 2006
http://www.brattlefilm.org/

http://www.goingunderthefilm.com/
http://www.argotpictures.com/

GOING UNDER
Directed by Eric Werthman
Written by Eric Werthman & Jessica Gohlke
Starring Roger Rees & Geno Lechner
2004, 35mm, 98 minutes.

Peter, a psychotherapist, and Suzanne, a professional dominatrix, have been meeting once a week for over two years. In the privacy of a dungeon room in an S & M house, Suzanne delicately pierces, prods and ultimately soothes Peter as they engage in sensual dominance and submission reenactments.
Peter's wife Pat knows about her husband's other life, but there is an understanding between them; what happens in the dungeon is relegated to the world of fantasy. Peter and Suzanne, undeniably drawn to each other, agree to see each other on the outside. Though Suzanne is clearly ambivalent about any sort of physical intimacy, Peter becomes increasingly obsessed with consummating their relationship. The more Suzanne pulls away, the harder Peter finds it to let go. As they meet in coffee shops, bars and restaurants throughout New York City, Peter remembers the erotic "scenes" between them and the relationship these fantasies have to his past.

Simon Gray

Roger will appear with colleagues Richard Easton and Dana Ivey at "An Evening with Simon Gray" on Monday, October 16th at the New York Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center, according to the New York Times. The free event will start at 6 PM.

The evening, which will be directed by Gray, will feature the actors performing scenes from the playwright's works (which will be introduced by Gray). His other plays include Otherwise Engaged, The Common Pursuit, Quartermaine's Terms, The Holy Terror and Wise Child.

Admission is free. Tickets will be distributed, one to a person, at the library’s entrance, beginning at 4 p.m. on the day of the event.

From: Broadway World

Stoppard Gala

On November 13 the Williamstown Theatre Festival honours playwright Tom Stoppard. Roger created the role of Henry in the West End premiere of Stoppard’s "The Real Thing" and the role of Kerner in the West End premiere of "Hapgood", and will appear in this event. The Gala will be held at the Puck Building in New York and is meant to raise money for the festival.

Mistakes, Inc.

On September28 Roger will appear at the Family Theater at the John F. Kennedy Center in New York at a performance of "Mistakes, Inc." by playwright Jonathan Mayer. He will be reading a selection from the works of VSA arts young literary artists. The production is a VSA arts Playwright Discovery Evening.