By one of those coincidences that occur so frequently in the theater, local audiences have been treated to “Dueling Orsons” within the last month. That is to say that legendary actor/director/producer Orson Welles has shown up on stage as a character in two recent productions.
First, he was portrayed by Dan Brick in Scena Theatre’s recreation of Welles’ radio version of “The War of the Worlds.” Now, he is being depicted by Wilbur Edwin Henry in the Washington area premiere of Austin Pendleton’s 2000 comedy “Orson’s Shadow,” currently playing at Round House Theatre.
The premise of “Orson’s Shadow” is a fictional imagining of what took place when Welles directed Lawrence Olivier (Anthony Newfield) in the London premiere of Ionesco’s “Rhinoceros” in 1960, supposedly the first time the two theatrical giants worked together.
The two men are brought together by celebrated theater critic Kenneth Tynan (Will Gartshore), who hopes to be hired for the National Theatre that Olivier is forming. Both titans aregoing through artistic midlife crises: Welles is anxious to salvage his career as a film director, while Olivier hopes to establish himself as a force in modern, cutting-edge theater.
The result was a typical clash of egos.
Pendleton’s script is entertaining, with amusingly catty dialogue in the tradition of backstage comedies like “To Be or Not To Be” and “All About Eve.” The only serious flaw is that Pendleton still hasn’t figured out how to end the play.
Still, director Jerry Whiddon keeps “Orson’s Shadow” moving at a brisk pace, and gets first-rate performances from the entire cast.
If you go
» “Orson’s Shadow”
Venue: Round House Theatre Bethesda, 4545 East-West Highway
Performances: 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Through Feb. 25.
Tickets: $25 to $55
More info: 240-644-1100, roundhousetheatre.org
