Arts & Entertainment Compass

By Kaitlyn Clark

The American Theatre of Actors welcomes back a familiar face this June with director John DeBenedetto’s newest project: The First and The Last by John Galsworthy. Running June 11th to 15th on the Beckmann Stage, this emotionally charged drama continues DeBenedetto’s streak of successful shows at ATA. 

In recent months, DeBenedetto has presented classic shows like Aeschylus’ Seven Against Thebes and George Bernard Shaw’s Overruled. His directing style has proved successful time and time again, with all of his shows at ATA receiving critical praise! 

In our recent conversation, DeBenedetto shared what drew him to this early 20th-century tale of guilt, morality, and justice. “I’m very interested in plays from the late 1800s and early 1900s,” he explained, “especially having recently done plays at ATA by Ibsen, Chekhov, and Shaw—who was Galsworthy’s contemporary. I felt this play’s themes could resonate with contemporary audiences.”

Rather than delivering the story in its original 1919 setting, DeBenedetto has moved the timeline forward. “Since the themes – familial bonds, guilt, retribution, etc. are universal and timeless, we are setting the play a few years past when it was written to make it more immediate to our audiences. I like to take classics and modernize the time frame a bit to show how relevant the material is.” 

This adjustment is being handled with ease by the experienced ensemble that Debenedetto has cast. The director tells us that all of them are absolutely first-rate. Jonathan Beebe plays Larry, the troubled younger brother who confesses to a shocking crime. Opposite him is Clay von Carlowitz, a seasoned actor whose long list of credits makes him perfectly suited for the emotionally complex role of Keith. 

Natasha Sahs, playing the role of Wanda, is returning to ATA following her role in Anne L. Thompson-Scretching’s A Lesson in Blood, while newcomer Ovid Radbauer, as Policeman/Paper Seller, is making his ATA debut with gratitude and poise. 

“We’re still in early stages of rehearsal,” DeBenedetto explained, “But the actors are exploring the nuances of their characters, especially the brothers.” 

As with his past work at ATA, DeBenedetto continues to use a focused, emotionally driven approach to direction. “I’m following my usual technique in directing the play, tailoring it to the specific requirements of this play, especially the strong emotional content.”

When asked what audiences should be looking forward to, DeBenedetto tells us, “the ending should really affect audience members and hopefully have them leaving the theatre in a thoughtful way, ready to discuss the play’s issues.” 

After this show, DeBenedetto has a full slate ahead. “I’m directing a series of one-acts for Equity Library Theatre, and I’ll be back at ATA in the fall directing a new play about John Brown.”

ATA remains an incubator for new and creative works. Founded in 1976 by James Jennings, the American Theatre of Actors has long served as a home for emerging and established talent alike, producing more than 1,000 new works and giving early opportunities to actors, writers, and directors alive. 

With its emotional depth, talented enseble, and sophisticated direction, The First and The Last at American Theatre of Actors promises a lovely night for any theatre lover. 

Tickets are available now! For more information, visit the American Theatre of Actors website! Don’t miss your chance to witness this rare Galsworthy revival, brought to life on the historic Backmann Stage! 

Performance Schedule:Wed, June 11 – 8:00 PM
Thurs, June 12 – 8:00 PM
Fri, June 13 – 8:00 PM
Sat, June 14 – 8:00 PM
Sun, June 15 – 3:00 PM