The Playwrights’ Theatre of East Hampton at LTV Studios, in association with Kassar Productions, will open a two-week run of a fully staged production of “God of Carnage” next Thursday at 7:30 p.m. Written by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton, and directed by John Kroft, the production stars Rachel Feldman, Edward W. Kassar, Daniela Mastropietro, and Joe Pallister.
First published in 2008, the play is about two sets of parents. After the son of one couple has hurt the son of the other at a public park, the parents meet to discuss the matter in a civilized way. As the title suggests, the parents become increasingly childish as the evening goes on. It eventually devolves into chaos.
In a review of the 2009 Broadway production, which starred Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis, James Gandolfini, and Marcia Gay Harden, Ben Brantley of The New York Times cited its “cathartic release of watching other people’s marriages go boom. A study in the tension between civilized surface and savage instinct, this play (which recently won the Olivier Award in London for best new comedy) is itself a satisfyingly primitive entertainment with an intellectual veneer.” In addition to the Olivier Award, it won three Tony Awards, including best play, for the Broadway production.
“God of Carnage” is the second Kassar Production with the Playwrights’ Theatre. Cast as Michael, a self-made wholesaler, Mr. Kassar’s theater credits include “The Pillowman,” “The Zoo Story,” “Of Mice and Men,” “Art,” and “Other People’s Money.” His film work includes “Mulligan Farm,” “Scallop Pond,” “Sushi Bar,” and “If I Didn’t Care.”
Ms. Mastropietro plays Veronica, Michael’s wife, who is writing a book about Darfur. She appeared recently as Blanche Dubois in “A Streetcar Named Desire” at Bay Street Theater and at LTV in “Chekhov’s Shorts” and “Scrooge . . . The Relapse.” Other stage roles have included Lady Macbeth for Hudson Theatre Works and Masha in “Three Sisters” at Columbia University.
Alan, a lawyer, is played by Mr. Pallister, who has appeared on television in “The Flight Attendant,” “Blacklist,” and “Quantico,” among others. Local theater credits include “The Crucible” and “To Kill a Mockingbird” at Bay Street, “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Doubt” at Hampton Theatre Company, and “Art” at Guild Hall.
Ms. Feldman is Annette, Alan’s wife, who manages her husband’s money. She has played Eloise in “The Grift” and Jenny/Letta in “Death of a Salesman” at Bay Street, Yelena in “Uncle Vanya” at Guild Hall, and Frankie in “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune” at the Bridgehampton Community House.
Mr. Kroft, the director, is an actor based in New York. He has performed at La MaMa in the city, and regionally at the La Jolla Playhouse, The Guthrie, Northern Stage, and, closer to home, at Bay Street Theater and with the Neo-Political Cowgirls.
Performances will take place Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.; with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 2, and on May 10 at 2, with a final performance on May 11 at 7:30.
Admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $15 for students, and $60 for cafe table seating, which includes a drink.
