Sitting Pretty

"Sitting Pretty"

by Amy Rosenthal

The second production of the Hypothetical Theatre Company's 2000-2001 Season

Can an overweight middle-aged woman find redemption by posing nude for an art class?

The secret to accepting one's self is rarely revealed; sometimes it is deduced by the very wise and occasionally blundered upon by the very lucky. Amy Rosenthal, a 26 year-old English playwright whose wisdom far exceeds her years, explores this process with eloquence and wit in her critically-applauded play, "Sitting Pretty." This ten-character comedy debuted in 1999 on the London stage, and opens in New York on Valentine's Day, running through March 11. The Hypothetical Theatre Company's Producing Artistic Director Amy Feinberg fell for "Sitting Pretty" upon seeing it in the London Fringe. She has brought the play to New York for its American premiere production, which Ms. Feinberg directs.

Corporate downsizing has left Nancy, a dowdy middle-aged spinster, sitting paralyzed on the sofa. Her helplessness contrasts acutely with the superficial confidence of her twitchy sister, Nina, an art guide at the National Gallery. Nina is unsympathetic towards the plight of her down-and-out sibling. But Nina also holds life at arms' length, chafing at her career, mourning for a love affair that ended in her twenties and fending off the doting affections of a man-next-door. Meanwhile Nancy, by a mixture of chance and misapprehension, finds herself a 'life-model' for a figurative art class, lying naked on a bed in front of strangers . . . and loving it! Her transformation into a vibrant, creative force is the journey of this modern Pygmalion story, which breezes with sharp dialogue, warms the heart and tickles the soul.

The role of Nancy is played by Aviva Jane Carlin, who was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her solo show, "Jodie's Body" (1999). Coincidentally, Carlin's character, Jodie, portrays an artist's model. Standing nude and alone on stage, she discourses upon her feelings about being overweight, the people who draw and paint her, her family and her homeland of South Africa. The New York Times (Anita Gates) praised "Jodie's Body" as "powerful, alternately funny and touching and exhilarating." Ms. Carlin's appearance in "Sitting Pretty" was unplanned; she competed for the part against a score of accomplished actresses. The producing staff at The Hypothetical Theatre quickly admits nobody could have wanted the part more or auditioned for it better.

The plays of Amy Rosenthal also include "Lifelines" (Royal Court Young Playwrights' Festival), "Henna Night" (Midlands Arts Center) and "Jerusalem Syndrome" (Manchester Royal Exchange). She is currently Writer in Residence at Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, where she is under commission. Challenged to explain how such a young person can describe middle age with such understanding and sympathy, she replied bashfully that she must be "an old soul" and that she finds it easier to write about older people than young people. (In her "Jerusalem Syndrome," an English woman and former kibbutznik returns to Israel to confront haunting memories of her past.) She is also under commission to BBC Radio. Her father is British TV/screenwriter Jack Rosenthal and her mother is a well-known British TV and theater actress, Maureen Lippmann. This production is an American Premiere.

Reviewing the premiere of "Sitting Pretty" at Chelsea Centre (London) in 1999, The Evening Standard (Madeline North) declared, "This wonderful first play by Amy Rosenthal is an ensemble piece of immense acuity and pathos." The Guardian (Lyn Gardner) added, "There is no doubt that Amy Rosenthal (daughter of the more famous Jack) is a real find" and "Rosenthal has the makings of a real star," dubbing her a "female Alan Ackbourn." The Independent (Dominic Cavendish) called the play "an assured piece of writing, its confidence reflected both in its emotional range--it encompasses the preoccupations of youth and middle age--and in the unapologetic quaintness of its style, a gentle blend of the witty and the poignant."

The cast of "Sitting Pretty" includes Aviva Jane Carlin, Tanny McDonald, John O'Creagh, Mark Jacoby, Lina Roessler, Dannah Chaifetz, Marilyn Bernard, Kate Konigisor, Charles Major and Nathan M. White. Set design is by Mark Symczak. Sound design is by Tim Cramer. Lighting Design is by Rych Curtiss. Costume design is by Melissa Schlachtmeyer. Dialect coach is Amy Stoller.