Dylan McDermott | Princeton Magazine

Emily Mann Discusses McCarter’s Production of “Baby Doll” at Princeton Public Library

Babydoll 1 Artistic Director Emily Mann and leads Dylan McDermott and Susannah Hoffman discuss McCarter Theatre’s upcoming production of “Baby Doll” Tuesday, September 1, at Princeton Public Library. The McCarter Live at the Library event is at 7 p.m. in the Community Room.

Mann will direct the darkly comic drama she adapted for the stage with Pierre Laville. Joining the discussion will be “Baby Doll” leads Dylan McDermott and Susannah Hoffman who will talk about the joys and challenges of bringing the tale to life. Based on the controversial 1950s Tennessee Williams film, “Baby Doll” is the story of a failing cotton gin owner, his beautiful, childlike, 19-year-old wife and the man who plots to seduce her. The production opens September 11 and runs through October 11.

Seating for this event will be on a first-come, first-seated basis with a line forming at 6 p.m. The doors to the Community Room will open at 6:30 p.m. Additional seating will be available just outside the Community Room and in the first-floor fireplace area where the event will be simulcast.

All Princeton Public Library programs are free and open to the public. If programs require registration, preference is given to library cardholders. more

Dylan McDermott Featured in American Premiere of Tennessee Williams’ “Baby Doll”

McDermott 2 Tennessee Williams’ Baby Doll was condemned in its time for its tale of commercial and erotic vengeance. Now, a new adaptation of Williams’ 1956 film masterpiece makes its American premiere at McCarter Theatre Center on September 11 through October 11, 2015.

The cast includes Patricia Conolly (Aunt Rose Comfort), Susannah Hoffman (Baby Doll), Robert Joy (Archie Lee), Brian McCann (Sheriff), and Dylan McDermott (Silva Vacarro).

French theatre writer, adaptor, and director Pierre Laville wrote a new adaptation of Baby Doll which premiered to critical praise in Paris at the Théâtre de l’Atelier in 2009. Laville, having worked as a translator of Emily Mann’s work on numerous occasions, suggested she adapt the piece for an American audience. Mann, having directed a number of other major Tennessee Williams’ productions in the past, began the process of shaping Baby Doll anew by streamlining the story and pacing. A reading of the Laville/Mann adaptation was featured as part of McCarter’s Lab Series in January of 2015.

About the production, Director/co-Adaptor Emily Mann said: “Tennessee (Williams) is one of our greats. I’ve directed many of his plays, including The Glass Menagerie, A Streetcar Named Desire and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Baby Doll is another glorious Williams creation. Funny, erotic and dangerous – it’s a love story, but it’s also about the awakening of a young woman – both in terms of her sexuality and her own agency.” more