All About Eve - Behind the Curtain: An Actor's Life - Reception, Film, & Talk

TICKETS: $15.00 – includes film, reception, panel and museum admission; $10.00 for members of the Friends of the Cape & Islands Theater Coalition and the Guild of CCMoA at:

https://capecodlive.org/friends-supporters/

Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night. – Bette Davis in All About Eve

Iconic actor Bette Davis famously said these words in the 6 Academy Award winning film, All About Eve, all about envy and competition amongst theater actors. Following a reception and screening of this classic film with the incomparable Davis who acted at the Cape Playhouse early in her career, Cape Playhouse Artistic Director Michael Rader will moderate a talk with well-known Cape and regional actors Jody O’Neil, John Schuman, about the challenges, struggles and triumphs of a life in the theater.

The event begins at 3 pm with a casual social hour of light food, drink and conversation ain the beautiful galleries of the Cape Cod Museum of Art where two exhibitions highlight caring for the environment with “Healing Nature” and “Preserving the Very Nature of Cape Cod.”

This is an ArtWeek Massachusetts event presented by the Friends of the Cape & Islands Theater Coalition in association with The Cape Cod Museum of Art, The Cape Playhouse, The Cape Cinema, and the Guild of the Cape Cod Museum of Art.

ArtWeek is an award-winning innovative festival that will take place throughout Massachusetts from April 27 through May 6, 2018. It features hundreds of unique and creative experiences that are hands-on, interactive or offer behind-the-scenes access to arts, culture, and the creative process.

ALL ABOUT EVE is a compelling classic film about two vying actresses, one a tough established Broadway star, the other a young hopeful. Starring: Bette Davis, Anne Baxter, George Sanders, Gary Merrill, Thelma Ritter and a very young Marilyn Monroe; Director and Writer: Joseph L. Mankiewicz; Producer: Darryl F. Zanuck. The 1950 film was nominated for 14 Academy Awards and won 6, including Best Picture, and is ranked 28th on the American Film Institute's "Greatest Movies of All Time." Having met while shooting the film, Davis and Merrill married shortly after filming was complete.

About the Behind the Curtain Panel:

Michael Rader (Moderator)

Michael Rader is a stage director and arts advocate based in New York City who made his mark internationally as an Artistic Director for Cirque du Soleil. He is the current Artistic Director of the historic Cape Playhouse in Dennis, MA. His diverse career in the arts has afforded him positions such as Artistic Director for Cirque du Soleil, Broadway Liaison and Arts Education Consultant to the New York City Department of Education and Director of Entertainment of the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Some highlights as a director or associate include: A Christmas Story (National Tour), Stalking The Bogeyman (NYTimes Critics Pick, Outer Critics Circle Nomination), Varekai (Cirque Du Soleil), The Testament of Mary, A Christmas Carol (National Tour), and productions with Sacramento Music Circus, The ZACH Theatre, The York Theatre Company, The Actors Studio Repertory Theatre, The Human Race Theatre, The Dramatist Guild, The Huron Playhouse, The Forestburgh Playhouse, Joe's Pub and the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway benefit production of William Finn's Elegies: A Song Cycle. He is a graduate of the esteemed Actors Studio MFA Directing Program, an alumnus of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab and a proud member of SDC. Michael is passionate about and committed to finding ways of utilizing the arts as a tool to empower the lives of those less fortunate, especially children in need. It was during his initial time working with chronically ill children that Michael fully realized his passion for humanitarian work, especially when it involved working within the arts.

Jody O'Neil (Actor)

A Provincetown resident, Jody will make his debut this summer as Captain Brackett in Michael Rader’s production of SOUTH PACIFIC at the Playhouse. This winter Jody played multiple roles in the Eventide Theatre Company’s production of THE DINING ROOM and appeared last spring opposite Erica Morris in Steven Ross's staging of EDUCATING RITA, also at ETC. Other ETC roles include Tyrone, Jr. in A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN and Gerry Evans in DANCING AT LUGHNASA, both directed by Steve Reynolds. Last summer, he reprised his role as Chris Christofferson in Provincetown Dramatic Arts' Wharf House production of ANNA CHRISTIE, directed by Margaret Van Sant and has performed extensively at Provincetown Theater, including as Mephisto in DR. FAUSTUS LIGHTS THE LIGHTS, directed by Tristan DiVicenzo; Claire in THE MAIDS, directed by James P. Bryne and Harry Evans in THE VERGE, directed by Nathan Butera. He can be seen as Ivan Zamir in the 14-part TV series, OFFSEASON, currently streaming on Amazon Prime. Jody is the founder and Artistic Director of Sailor Beware, a Cape Cod theater coalition of Actors' Equity Association Members.

John Schuman (Actor)

A resident of Wellfleet John has appeared in several Playhouse productions including 1776, THE BEST MAN, and HAIRSPRAY. At WHAT he was seen in ROMANCE and THE BETROTHED and in January presented a dramatic reading of UNDERNEATH THE LINTEL at the Wellfleet Public Library. On Broadway John is known for roles in 13 RUE DE L'AMOUR and the revival of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. His television credits include BOARDWALK EMPIRE, MELROSE PLACE, GUIDING LIGHT and REMINGTON STEELE. Off-Broadway he has been seen in HOT L BALTIMORE and THE FANTASTICKS. Regional theatre work across the country have included performances in THE ALCHEMIST at Yale Rep, LI'L ABNER at Goodspeed Musicals, AN AMERICAN IN PARIS AT THE Alley Theatre and THE ROYAL FAMILY at the Guthrie. John's family lived in the Freeman House across the street from the Playhouse that was once owned by Raymond Moore- the Cape Playhouse founder.

About Bette Davis at the Cape Playhouse

A young Davis ushered at the Cape Playhouse in 1928, but by July was asked to join the theater's Junior Players and played Elise Benedetti in the Charm School at Sears Memorial Hall in nearby East Dennis (now the Jacob Sears Library). Later that same summer she managed to get a small part on the Playhouse stage in the 7th show of the season, Mr. Pimm Passes By. Quickly rising to both theater and film stardom, by 1930 Davis had appeared in the last of her 12 Playhouse productions and was never to return. Her Hollywood rise was meteoric and just 5 years after her final Playhouse performance she won the first of her two Academy Awards.

About The Cape Playhouse

The non-profit Cape Playhouse was founded in 1927 by Californian Raymond Moore, who spent several summers in Provincetown painting scenery, writing plays, and acting in local theatre. His vision, however, was to have a theatre of his own—a smart, sophisticated summer theatre that would bring Broadway to Cape Cod. He purchased a 19th-century former Unitarian Meeting House for $200, had it moved to 3½ acres of pasture land fronting the Old Kings Highway in Dennis, and converted it into a professional theatre. The Cape Playhouse has been kept true to its original structure—even the original pews still serve as seats. The opening performance on July 4, 1927 was The Guardsman, starring Basil Rathbone. Over the years, many big- name stars from Broadway and the silver screen have acted there, including Bette Davis (who first worked as an usher), Gregory Peck, Gertrude Lawrence, Lana Turner, Ginger Rogers, Humphrey Bogart, Tallulah Bankhead, Helen Hayes, Julie Harris, and Paulette Goddard. It's no wonder the Cape Playhouse is known as "The Birthplace of the Stars.” Many young, aspiring performers have spent their summers here. In 1956, a young student was given a small part in The Male Animal, starring Henry Fonda (his daughter, Jane)! Today, most of the stars still come from Broadway, but it seems that almost every well-known star of stage, screen, and TV has walked the stage of the Cape Playhouse.

About the Friends of Cape & Islands Theater Coalition

Established in 2012, the Friends are an all-volunteer group formed to promote awareness of the rich and diverse live performance theaters across the Cape and Islands. The Friends also help raise funds for the Theater Coalition through their membership dues, annual "Season Highlights" Celebration and other events. Membership benefits include reduced admission to Friends events, special theater trips and receptions, and discounts on performances. The group is open to all who want to support theater in our region, with modest annual membership dues of $25 for an individual, $40 for dual membership, and $60 for family memberships. For more information visit www.capecodlive.org.

About the Cape & Islands Theater Coalition

This year the Cape & Islands Theater Coalition is celebrating 23 years of cultural collaboration. Founded in 1995 by five theaters and the Cape Cod 5 Bank Foundation under the leadership of the Bank's David Willard, the founding theaters were Academy of Performing Arts (Orleans), Cape Rep Theatre (Brewster), Chatham Drama Guild, Cape Cod Theatre Company (formerly Harwich Junior Theatre) and Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater, with The Cape Playhouse joining as a Contributing Supporter in 1997. Members are live performance nonprofit theaters located from Woods Hole to Provincetown and the Islands, and range from small community theaters to large venues featuring professional Actors Equity productions. The Coalition provides the latest theater performance calendars and news through its website, Facebook page, and Twitter feed as part of its on-going effort to encourage and promote cultural tourism among the more than 7 million annual visitors and 250,000 year-round residents of the Cape and Islands. The Coalition also works to ensure that the performing arts in southeastern Massachusetts continue to thrive and have a substantial impact on the creative economy of the region. For more information visit www.capecodlive.org.

About The Guild of Cape Cod Museum of Art

The Guild is a creative and energetic volunteer organization that supports the Museum by assisting at museum events, sponsoring lecture programs and by conducting fundraisers. One of their favorites is the annual Fashion Show and Luncheon which will be held this year at the Wequassett Resort and Golf Club on May 21, 2018. Guild members receive free admission to hear monthly speakers on topics of interest and discounts on many Museum events.