The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company

The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company
Proudly Presents

The Man Who Shot Libert Valance

Written by Jethro Compton
Based on the short story by Dorothy M. Johnson

"A Classic Tale of Law & Order Versus Intimidation & Violence in the Old West”

When Ransome Foster, a scholar from New York City, first came to the town of Twotrees he arrived bloody and beaten. Yet after a quick recovery and a promise to a young woman to help her learn to read, Foster begins to change the small town he starts to call home with love & education.

This catches the attention of Liberty Valance, an outlaw who seeks to restore his view of ”the norms of society” through terror & bloodshed. Suddenly, Foster finds himself on a collision course with the experienced gunman forcing him to make a choice: to run or to stand up for what he believes in, to live or to fight for what is right…

Please join Onomatopoeia for this classic tale of good versus evil, of law & order versus intimidation & violence, of one man versus Liberty Valance.

Most people do not think of a theatrical production when they think of a “Western”, they think of film. Movies such as “The Searchers”, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”, or even “Blazing Saddles”. For many the “Western” is a genre best known through the numerous films created in the golden age of Hollywood.

This is part of what makes Jethro Compton’s stage adaptation of “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” so wonderful. The story of “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” is probably best known from the 1962 film by John Ford, starring John Wayne, James Stewart, Lee Marvin and Vera Miles. The film is considered a timeless classic, but, like many films, it does not entirely follow the original story by Dorothy M. Johnson. Playwright Jethro Compton has smartly based his theatrical production on her original story, allowing him to put a fresh coat of paint on this classic fable, dealing with timeless issues such as racism, guns, and violence in America. This enables the theatrical production to truly become something special: a live action “Western” that honors the classic film, speaks to modern issues and touches upon universal themes, such as love and forgiveness.

Though the play is consummately American, it was given its world premiere at London’s Park Theatre in May of 2014. This was followed by its American premiere at the Rubicon Theatre in Los Angeles in March of 2016. Now The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company is proud to be presenting the New York City premiere of “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” this July at the Gene Frankel Theatre.

July 8 – July 30

at The Gene Frankel Theatre
24 Bond St. Manhattan, New York 10012

Tickets
$25 – Regular
$15 – Student / Senior

BUY TICKETS HERE

"Every once in a while reviewers get a great surprise. A production wanders into town, kinda like an aimless cowpoke, with no advance notice and little previous reputation, and turns into a fine contribution to the community."

New York Theatre Review

Note On Gun Safety For This Production

Out of an abundance of caution, The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company will not be using blank guns for this production of “The Man Who Shot Liberty Vallance”. Instead, we will be using non-firing replica prop guns and sound effects for all gun fire.

Performance Schedule

July 8 (Fri.) @ 8:00 PM PRESS PERFORMANCE
July 9 (Sat.) @ 8:00 PM PRESS PERFORMANCE
July 10 (Sun.) @ 3:00 PM OPENING PERFORMANCE

July 14 (Thu.) @ 8:00 PM
July 15 (Fri.) @ 8:00 PM
July 16 (Sat.) @ 8:00 PM
July 17 (Sun.) @ 3:00 PM

July. 20 (Wed.) @ 8:00 PM
July 21 (Thu.) @ 8:00 PM
July 22 (Fri.) @ 8:00 PM
July 23 (Sat.) @ 8:00 PM
July 24 (Sun.) @ 3:00 PM

July 27 (Wed.) @ 8:00 PM
July 28 (Thu.) @ 8:00 PM
July 29 (Fri.) @ 8:00 PM
July 30 (Sat.) @ 8:00 PM CLOSING PERFORMANCE

Cast

Leighton Samuels* - RANSOME FOSTER
Stephanie Craven – HALLIE JACKSON
Samuel Shurtleff* - BERT BARRICUNE
Daniel Kornegay - JIM “THE REVEREND” MOSTEN
Derek Jack Chariton* - LIBERTY VALANCE
Scott Zimmerman*-MARSHALL JOHNSON / UNDERSTUDY FOR BERT BARRICUNE
Jeff Brackett - JAKE DOWITT / UNDERSTUDY FOR LIBERTY VALANCE
Ben-David Carlson*-DEPUTY, THE GANG, MOURNERS / UNDERSTUDY FOR RANSOME FOSTER
Chandler Robyn - MOURNERS, STUDENTS / UNDERSTUDY FOR HALLIE JACKSON

* Appearing Courtesy of Actors Equity Association. An Equity Approved Showcase

Crew

Thomas R. Gordon – DIRECTOR
Chandler Robyn – ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Elizabeth O’Keith – STAGE MANAGER & PROP MASTER
Susan Yanofsky - COSTUME DESIGNER
Nino Amari – SET DESIGNER
Reid Sullivan – LIGHTING DESIGNER
Julia Brunner – ANIMATION / PROJECTION
Jay Cruz – GRAPHIC DESIGN / SOCIAL MEDIA
Richard Kornberg - PRESS CONTACT