Set in 1960, Orson Welles(Wilbur Edwin Harry), considered twenty years ago a genius in Hollywood for his masterpiece “Citizen Kane”, is now a near has-been playing Falstaff to empty houses in Dublin. His friend, Kenneth Tynan, enters the picture to convince Welles to direct Laurence Olivier(Anthony Newfield) in a production of Ionesco’s “Rhinoceros” at London’s National Theater.  Kenneth Tynan has an ulterior motive- he hopes that Olivier will hire him as director of the National Theater.  Both Welles and Olivier are very much against the idea but agree to do it as it could revitalize their fading careers in Hollywood  and for Welles to get money for his next project, “Chimes at Midnight.”

Joan Plowright(Connan Morrissey) also manages to convince them both to do the play. Plowright is Olivier’s co-star in “Rhinoceros” and who happens to be his girlfriend at the time while still married to mentally unstable actress Vivien Leigh, but due to his deep love for Leigh, Olivier doesn’t want to leave her.  From the start of rehearsals, problems immediately occur as Welles and Olivier engage in a game of one-upmanship. Moreover, tempers flaring and the actors’ ego contributes to closing production altogether.

“Orson’s Shadow” has an exceptional cast.  Wilber Edwin Henry and Anthony Newfield give masterful portrayals of Orson Welles and Sir Lawrence Olivier, respectively.  Round House Theatre Associate Artist Kathryn Kelley is absolutely riveting as Vivien Leigh, she infuses her role with humor and pathos.  Signature Theatre stalwart Will Garstshore, mostly known for his musical theater roles, is superb as theater critic Kenneth Tynan. Connan Morrisey gives a fine peformance as Joan Plowright.

Playwright Austin Pendelton successfully creates well-rounded portraits of these larger-than-life icons. At age 26, Orson Welles was already considered a genius for his unforgettable 1941 masterpiece “Citizen Kane.” But his unwillingness to compromise with the studios led to his departure from Hollywood. Sir Olivier, highly regarded as one of the greatest actors of the film and stage. Already a success on the London stage, he rose to film stardom in  1939’s “Wuthering Heights.”  He was also famous for his Shakesperean roles, notably 1948’s “Hamlet” which he directed, produced and starred in, and brought him a best actor Oscar.  Vivien Leigh is best remembered for her iconic role of Scarlett O’Hara in “Gone With The Wind” for which she won the best actress Oscar.

There are more upcoming productions from Round House Theatre.  On April 4- 29 is “Crime And Punishment,”  the new award-winning adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s literary masterpiece that took Chicago by storm in 2004.  On May 30 comes the premiere of the musical adaptation of the 1971 film “Summer Of ‘42" with book by Hunter Foster.

Round House Theatre- 4545 East-West Highway Bethesda, Md. 20814 Tel. 240- 644-1300  or visit www.roundhousetheatre.org.