The regional premiere of "Cakewalk," a drama about legendary playwright Lillian Hellman and her tumultuous, two-decade relationship with writer Peter Feibleman (author of the play), is scheduled Friday through Feb. 26 by Pygmalion Productions Theatre Company in the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Fran Pruyn is directing.
Hellman and Feibleman met when she was 53 and he was 28. The play is Feibleman's account of their relationship, described as "the wash and backwash of the human heart."
One of her generation's most successful playwrights ("The Children's Hour," 1934; "The Little Foxes," 1939; "Watch on the Rhine," 1941; "Toys in the Attic," 1960), Hellman was also a controversial political activist. Her involvement in the leftist movement resulted in her being subpoenaed to appear before the House Committee on Un-American Activities in 1952. Refusing to reveal names of colleagues who may have communist affiliations, she was added to Hollywood's infamous blacklist. Her partner at the time, writer Dashiell Hammett, was sentenced to prison for six months.
Although the script for Feibleman's play calls for a cast of two men and three women, director Pruyn and producer Nancy Roth have opted to create a multimedia presentation of video, still-photo projections and voice-overs to blend other characters and developments into the action.
The cast features Reb Fleming as Lillian and Lane Richins as Peter, with Mel Olmstead, Elena Dinh, Laurie Meacham and others in multiple roles. The production is accompanied by music of Carly Simon, written for the original New York production.
Long before they met in the late 1950s, Hellman was famous for her somewhat bohemian lifestyle. She became a writer at a time when writers were celebrities and their recklessness was considered admirable. She moved in the same circles as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, William Faulkner and Hammett (she was in a close relationship with the latter until his death in 1961).
After Hellman and Feibleman met, she became his muse, mentor and lover. The two would often proofread each other's work and give constructive criticism to one another. They were also co-authors, collaborating on "Eating Together: Recipes and Recollections," a book that evolved from their wanting to open a small restaurant (something they never got around to doing). The book — part cookbook, part memoirs — is based around the dishes that the two would prepare for one another for dinner.
Feibleman is also the author of several novels and novellas, including "The Columbus Tree," "A Place Without Twilight" and "Lilly: Reminiscences of Lillian Hellman." ("Cakewalk," starring Linda Lavin, premiered in 1996 at the Variety Arts Theater in New York City; a Los Angeles production starred Elaine Stritch.)
If you go . . .
What: "Cakewalk"
Where: Studio Theatre, Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. 300 South
When: Friday through Feb. 26; days and times vary
How much: $12-$18
Phone: 355-2787
Web: www.arttix.org
Also: Feb. 10, book-club event, book-club members admitted at group rates
E-mail: ivan@desnews.com