Ann Antkiw has been seen acting and directing with the Little Theatre Group for more than 15 years. Most recently she directed the Tennessee Williams classic, “Night of the Iguana.”
The difference this time is that Antkiw will be directing not in Escazú’s Blanche Brown Theater, which is no more, but in the Laurence Olivier Theater in San José.
Interestingly enough, Antkiw directed her first play for the Little Theatre Group in this very theater. Memories of that play made a lasting impression on all after the lead actor refused to learn his lines and Antkiw had to cancel opening night. Horrors.
Have no fear. There is no way that can happen with this latest play.
“84, Charing Cross Road” is based on a true story by Helene Hanff and chronicles 20 years of letters exchanged between the author and antiquarian bookseller Frank Doyle and his colleagues at a small bookstore, Mark’s & Co.
It wasn’t until 1981 that these charming conversations were adapted into a play.
Then, in 1987, Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins starred in the movie, and the bookshop gained world renown.
Antkiw said she chose the play because it brought back her childhood memories of post-war England and her mother’s passion for books. She and her mother often walked along
Charing Cross Roadbrowsing through the bookshops; Antkiw said no trip to London was complete without a visit to this treasure trove for book lovers.
“84, Charing Cross Road” will be presented at the Laurence Olivier Theater for only two weekends before it goes on the road to the Club del Mar Hotel in Jacó, on the central Pacific coast.
Performances are weekends Sept. 28 to Oct. 7, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. The Jacó performance is Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. For tickets, call 355-1623 or go to www.littletheatregroup.org.
For the Jacó show, call 613-3194.
