Visit to a Small Planet by Gore Vidal July 8-August 6, 2011 Gunston Theatre Two (directions)

Facebook | Reviews | Press Release | Photos | Podcast | Tickets

Gore Vidal’s 1956 seminal play Visit to a Small Planet is a comedy with keen and witty observations about American and human foibles. Originally a live television drama, the comic satire lampoons the Cold War and humanity’s self-destructive preoccupation with world domination. It was subsequently made into a forgettable film and later brought back to the stage, serving then as the precursor to such television hits as My Favorite Martian, Mork and Mindy, and 3rd Rock from the Sun.

In an ill-conceived solo alien invasion, the extraterrestrial Kreton lands his space ship in the middle of a suburban rose garden—the Speldings’ home in Manassas, VA. Dressed in Civil War regalia and eager to join the Battle of Bull Run, Kreton soon realizes his time machine is off by a hundred years. But he doesn’t return to his planet of intellectual, mind-reading superiors: he decides to take over the world.

Rip Claassen, longtime TACT artistic associate, will direct, withGenie Baskir as Producer. The production stars Bruce Rauscher as Kreton, with John Tweel as General Tom Powers. The Spelding family includes Steve Lebens as Roger, Kelly Cronenberg as Reba, and Megan Gravesas Ellen. Noah Bird is Conrad, Brendan Haley is the Aide, and Delton 4 is played by Tamra Testerman. The Technician roles are filled by Kecia A. Campbell and Peter Johnson.

Set design is by Noel Greer, costumes are by Rosalie Ferris and Cecilia Albert, Lighting design is by Micah Stromberg, sound design is by Ed Moser, and Cecilia Albert is props designer. The show’s stage manager is Charles Dragonette and G.W. Glover is assistant stage manager.

Please note:
- This performance includes some cigar smoking, strobe lights, fog effects, and loud noise.

- Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes, including 2 intermissions.

- There will be no late seating after the first 15 minutes of the show.