Man and Superman

September 17, 2007

In Man and Superman Shaw explores the philosophy that humanity is the latest stage in a purposeful evolutionary movement of the “life force” toward ever-higher life forms. The play’s hero, the roguish Jack Tanner, is bent on pursuing his own spiritual development in accordance with this philosophy. Believing marriage would prevent him from achieving his higher intellectual and political ambitions, Tanner is horrified to discover that his newly appointed ward, Ann Whitefield, intends to marry him. He flees to Spain with Ann in hot pursuit. The chase even leads them to the underworld, where the characters’ alter egos discuss questions of human nature and philosophy in a lively debate in a scene often performed separately as ‘Don Juan in Hell’. In Man and Superman, Shaw combined seriousness with comedy to create a satirical and buoyant exposé of the eternal struggle between the sexes.

Written by George Bernard Shaw in 1901 and 1903.

Mr. Staller has trimmed the play from five to three hours to allow for inclusion of the famous interior act known as ‘Don Juan in Hell.’

Cast:

Roebuck Ramsden (and The Statue) — Mr. George S. Irving
Octavius Robinson — Mr. Euan Morton
John Tanner (and Don Juan) — Mr. Michael Cerveris
Ann Whitefield (and Dona Ana) — Ms. Kerry Butler
Mrs. Whitefield — Ms. Jackie Hoffman
Miss Ramsden — Ms. KT Sullivan
Violet Robinson — Ms. Elena Shaddow
Henry Straker — Mr. Matthew Arkin
Hector Malone — Mr. Noah Racey
Mendoza (and The Devil) — Mr. Marc Kudisch
Mr. Malone — Mr. Nick Wyman
Narrator — Mr. Michael Riedel

Evening hosted by Mr. Jeremy McCarter of NEWSWEEK

Produced and directed by Mr. David Staller