The Sunset Limited

Austin Pendelton and Freeman Coffey. Photo: Steppenwolf Theatre Company

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents
THE SUNSET LIMITED

I had the good fortune to see "The Sunset Limited" in previews recently. My favorite subject, “suicide” (to be or not to be) with my favorite drama device: the two-character one act. I love no intermission, two characters going at it, nothing to stop real time and everything to feed my imagination. Austin Pendleton is an amazing actor who makes me sit on the edge of my seat. Simply put: he is absolutely believable in this role of a belief in one's right to suicide. Freeman Coffey is also wonderful as the ex-con who is on a more spiritual mission of saving souls, in this case, a lost one who doesn't believe he is worth it. Both are astonishing and together it makes for an incredibly satisfying evening about our perception of the self that goes on and on. Since the theatre that night was being painted we got to see the play in the lobby. A rare treat to see professional actors thrown into a last minute change and watch them go at it. Later I walked alone along 59th Street and Central Park South, feeling inspired by the night, the park and the creative energy that goes into the collaborative process of live theatre. Check it out:

Through November 19th
Tue - Fri 8:15
Sat 2:15 & 8:15
Sun 3:15 at 59E59 Theatre
By Cormac McCarthy. Directed by Sheldon Patinkin
Featuring Ensemble members Austin Pendleton and Freeman Coffey

www.steppenwolf.org
From the website:
The Sunset Limited a new play by acclaimed fiction writer Cormac McCarthy, directed by Sheldon Patinkin and starring Austin Pendleton and Freeman Coffey. Perofrmances through November 19, Tuesday through Friday at 8:15 pm, Saturday at 2:15 and 8:15 and Sunday at 3:15 pm. Single tickets $40, $28 for 59E59 members available by calling Ticket Central. More invo visit www.59E59.org

Description: On a subway platform in New York City, an ex-con from the South saves the life of an intellectual atheist who wasn’t looking for slavation. Now the reformed murderer-turned-savior ventrues to offer salvation of another kind, bringing the failed suicide victim back to his Harlem apartment for an articulate and moving debate about truth, fiction and belief that only Cormac McCarthy (novelist, All the Pretty Horses) could pen. Described by the Chicago Tribune as “astonishingly effecting, so powerful, so stimulating,” this commanding two-hander features the dynamic performances of Austin Pendleton and Freeman Coffey.