BENT: Production Notes

FROM DIRECTOR TIM MOLLEN

BENT was written by Martin Sherman, an openly gay Jew who was born in Philadelphia in 1932. In 1960, he received his BFA in Dramatic Arts from the Boston University College of Fine Arts. Sherman has lived in London since 1980. BENT premiered in London’s West End in 1979, starring Ian McKellen in the role of Max. Later that same year it opened on Broadway, where Richard Gere portrayed Max. That production was nominated for a 1980 Tony Award for Best Play. Sherman also wrote the screenplay for the film version of BENT, which premiered in 1997. The film starred Clive Owen as Max, Mick Jagger as Greta, and Ian McKellen, this time in a supporting role as Uncle Freddie. In 2005, Sherman wrote the screenplay for Mrs Henderson Presents, starring Judi Dench.

My first exposure to this remarkable drama was in the spring of 1990. I was spending the latter half of my junior year in SUNY Oswego’s study-abroad program in London. I attended some twenty theatre productions, including two that I would later direct: The Woman in Black and BENT. On February 14, 1990, I spent the evening at London’s National Theatre, mesmerized by Martin Sherman’s masterpiece. Many wouldn’t see that as a romantic way to spend Valentine’s Day, but those “many” are exactly the people who need to see this play. In that revival production, I was lucky enough to see Ian McKellen reprise his role as Max, and his performance was trememdously powerful. When I returned to SUNY Oswego, I saw another wonderful production of BENT, this time directed by one of my mentors, Professor Ron Medici. That production was nearly as moving, which is not only a testament to Sherman’s writing, but to Ron’s directing and my fellow students’ performances.

I have wanted to direct this play since that night at the National almost twenty years ago. When I moved from Washington, DC back to Binghamton in 2002, I began to shop the play around to local theatres. Because of the play’s frank, adult subject matter, I knew it would be a hard sell in a small community like ours. The play and my vision for it finally found a home when Know Theatre opened this beautiful space at Binghamton City Stage. Know’s longtime Artistic Director, Tim Gleason, had the two prerequisites for taking this project on: an open heart and a courageous commitment to works of art that not only entertain but challenge the theatre audience. I am grateful to him for making this long-held dream come true. I am also indebted to Know’s new Executive Director, Matt Edwards, who has come out of the gate with vast resources of new ideas and energy. Thank you to Know’s Board of Directors for their continuing support, and, in particular, Board President Ralph Hall, who has believed in and nurtured this project from the start. Set Designer Tim Borden, Lighting and Sound Designer Gregory Bain, and Stage Manager / Scenic Artist Kat D’Andrea all made vital contributions to what you will experience during this production. This is the very first costume design by Binghamton University student Carolyn Walker, and we are very pleased and proud of her work. Musical wunderkind Santino DeAngelo composed most of the beautiful and evocative music for the show, as well as a stunning new arrangement of Philip Glass and Martin Sherman’s piece, “Streets of Berlin.” I am grateful to the many others who helped with set and costume construction, props acquisition, backstage crew work, and marketing. Finally, I am honored to have directed an amazing group of performers, whose acting and musical skills breathe life into this most human of stories. I know you will find their work to be as moving and inspiring as I have.

Please urge your friends to come see this production. And remember, if you want to keep seeing this kind of intelligent, vibrant work, keep coming back to KNOW Theatre!