Hampton Theatre Company Takes On Theresa Rebeck’s “Dead Accounts”

Theresa Rebeck’s dark comedy, “Dead Accounts,” will be the second production of the Hampton Theatre Company’s 2015-2016 season. The play centers on the profound differences that separate those that reside in the Midwest from those that call New York home.

“What I think audiences will like about this play is that Theresa Rebeck looks at some very real sore spots in contemporary culture – Does America know how to talk to itself anymore? Can one ever go home again? If not in the church, where can we find God? Does any kind of morality apply when it comes to making and keeping money? – in a way that is in line with our experience: filled with humor as well as wrenching truths,” said Andrew Botsford, Director.

“Dead Accounts” follows Jack Leonard, a Cincinnati native who surprises his family by returning to Ohio, following a stint in high finance in New York. His sister Lorna, currently lives at their parents’ home and assists their mother, Barbara, care for their ill father. Jack’s unexpected return brings up several questions about what occurred while out of town, like what’s become of Jack’s wife and how did he manage to become a millionaire seemingly overnight. The play takes a look at the different values of the heartland and the East Coast, as well as the growing gap between the middle class and the 1 percent.

Terry Teachout of The Wall Street Journal described the 2012 Broadway production, which starred Norbert Leo Butz, Katie Holmes, and Judy Greer, as “an exceedingly interesting night at the theater” where “the laughs don’t stop,” but it’s also “a dead-serious comedy about what happens to people who, like Jack and Lorna, wake up one morning and realize that their lives haven’t lived up to their dreams.”

Rebecca Edana, Mary McGloin and John Carlin. (Photo: Tom Kochie)

HTC’s adaptation will feature John Carlin, Mary McGloin, Diana Marbury, Rebecca Edana, and Peter Connolly. Andrew Botsford will direct the production, which showcases set design by Peter-Tolin Baker, lighting design by Sebastian Paczynski and costumes by Teresa Lebrun.

“Dead Accounts” will run at the Quogue Community Hall from Thursday, January 14th through Sunday, January 31st, with shows on Thursdays and Fridays at 7 p.m., Saturdays at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. For the first-time, HTC will hold a special audience talkback with members of the cast and the director after the Thursday, January 21st performance.

Once again, the Hampton Theatre Company has teamed up with the Southampton, Westhampton Beach, Hampton Bays, and Quogue libraries for special dinner and theater packages. Information about the deals is available on HTC’s website.

Tickets are $30 for adults, $25 for seniors (except for Saturday performances), and $10 for students under 21.

Quogue Community Hall is located at 125 Jessup Avenue in Quogue. For more information, call 631-653-8955 or visit hamptontheatre.org.