The Ruins of Civilization
by Penelope Skinner
Sometime in the future, Dolores (Rachael Holmes) and Silver (Tim Daly) are living their married life within the constraints and norms of a new world order. In an act of what seems like pure generosity, Dolores secretly opens their home to a stranger in need; but will she come to regret it? Can her actions have an impact or is it just too late? A bold world-premiere thriller, The Ruins of Civilization explores our need for free will and connection, even in a world on the brink of extinction. It’s the latest work from Penelope Skinner, the award winning author of The Village Bike.
Directed by Leah C. Gardiner
Playing at New York City Center-Stage II
131 W 55th St (btwn 6th & 7th Ave)
Cast
Orlagh Cassidy – Joy
Broadway: Present Laughter, God of Carnage. Off-Broadway: Bright Ideas (MCC), The Field(Drama Desk nomination), Aristocrats, Dancing at Lughnasa (Irish Rep), The Hundred We Are(Origin Theatre Company), When We Were Young and Unafraid (MTC, Cherry Jones). Regional: Shakespeare Theatre at The Folger, Hartford Stage. TV: “Law & Order,” “A Gifted Man,” “Unforgettable,” “Mildred Pierce,” “Veep,” “The Mysteries of Laura,” “Gotham,” “The Good Wife” and “Billions.” Eleven years recurring as Doris Wolfe on “Guiding Light.” Film: Definitely, Maybe; Motherhood; St. Vincent’s; The Sisterhood of Night; Beach House. B.F.A. SUNY at Purchase (Princess Grace Foundation Scholarship). Award-winning voice of numerous audiobooks, television and radio commercials.
Tim Daly – Silver
Theatre: Red; The Scene; The Exonerated; Six Degrees of Separation; The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial; Henry Flamethrowa; Coastal Disturbances (Theatre World Award); Oliver, Oliver; Buried Child. Television: “Madam Secretary,” “Private Practice,” “The Sopranos” (Emmy Award nomination), “The Fugitive” (SAG Award nomination), “Wings.” Film: Low Down (2014 Sundance Film Festival; associate producer), After Darkness, Bereft, Against the Ropes, Basic, The Object of My Affection, Made in Heaven, Just the Way You Are, Diner. Producer: Poliwood, Bereft, Edge of America (Humanitas Prize, Peabody Award, WGA Award, DGA Award), Execution of Justice. Web series: “The Daly Show.” President of The Creative Coalition, Board member InsideOUT Writers.
Rachael Holmes – Dolores
Rachel can be seen onscreen as Erica in “Mad Dogs” on Amazon. NY: Bright Half Life (world premiere, dir. Leigh Silverman, Women’s Project), Ruined (dir. Kate Whoriskey, MTC), Persephone’s Cowboy: A Musical (dir. Alex Timbers). Regional: War (world premiere, dir. Lileana Blain-Cruz, Yale Rep), Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (dir. Jonathan Moscone, Alley Theatre), Good People (dir. Kate Whoriskey, Huntington Theatre), Ruined (dir. Charles Randolph-Wright, Arena Stage), The Book Club Play (dir. Molly Smith, Arena Stage), Richard II (dir. Michael Kahn, Shakespeare Theatre Company). TV: “Chasing Life,” “Mysteries of Laura,” “The Good Wife,” “Dirt,” and national commercials. M.F.A., NYU. rachael.biz
Roxanna Hope – Mara
Broadway: Frost/Nixon, Boeing-Boeing, After the Fall, The Women, The Country House, Our Mother’s Brief Affair. Off-Broadway: Ode to Joy, Horsedreams, Mahida’s Extra Key to Heaven, 1001, Arabian Night, Princess Turandot. Regional: Hedda Gabler (Hartford Stage); Tartuffe, Indian Ink, Hecuba (American Conservatory Theater); Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Richard III, Julius Caesar, Pericles (Shakespeare Theatre of NJ); Williamstown Theatre Festival, Huntington Theatre, Westport Country Playhouse and others. Film/TV: Puncture, “Blue Bloods,” “Unforgettable,” “The Good Wife,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Law & Order,” “Law & Order: CI,” “All My Children” and others. M.F.A., American Conservatory Theater.
Creative
Manhattan Theatre Club – Producer
Barry Grove – Executive Producer
Lynne Meadow – Artistic Director
Penelope Skinner – Playwright
John Gromada – Original Music
Leah C. Gardiner – Director
Neil Patel – Set Designer
Jessica Pabst – Costume Designer
Philip S. Rosenberg – Lighting Designer
John Gromada – Sound Designer
Charlotte Fleck – Dialect Coach
