Lia Chang: Impressionism Ends Broadway Run on May 10

ANDRE DE SHIELDS. Photo by Lia Chang

After tonight’s performance of Michael Jacob’s new Broadway play Impressionism at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theater in New York, I caught up with André De Shields, one of the stars of the show backstage in his dressing room. He has been having a great time on the show working with director Jack O’Brien, Jeremy Irons, Joan Allen, Michael T. Weiss, Aaron Lazar, Margarita Levieva and Hadley Delany.

The play is set in Manhattan, and revolves around the story of an international photojournalist (Jeremy Irons) and a New York gallery owner (Joan Allen) whose unexpected brush with intimacy leads them to realize that there is quite an art to repairing broken lives. André is a delight as an African villager, and as a bakery owner who doles out sage advice on relationships and love in equal measures.  A beautiful and moving production, Impressionism has its final performance at 3pm on Sunday, May 10. The show began previews on February 28, and opened on March 24.

Next up for André, is the title character in the Classical Theatre of Harlem’s production of TARTUFFE SUPREME by Alfred Preisser and Randy Weiner, an adaptation of Moliere’s TARTUFFE, which begins performances on June 3.

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
236 West 45th St. (Between Broadway and 8th Ave)
New York

Click here to buy tickets for Impressionism.
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Lia Chang: André De Shields in Impressionism

André De Shields (Photo by Lia Chang)

André De Shields is currently appearing with Joan Allen, Jeremy Irons and Marsha Mason on Broadway in Impressionism, a new play by Michael Jacobs, directed by Jack O’Brien, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre. Also featured in the cast are Michael T. Weiss, Aaron Lazar, Margarita Levieva and Hadley Delany.

Impressionism is set in Manhattan, and is the story of an international photojournalist (Jeremy Irons) and a New York gallery owner (Joan Allen) whose unexpected brush with intimacy leads them to realize that there is quite an art to repairing broken lives. Click here to buy tickets for Impressionism. The final performance is on May 10, 2009.

Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
236 West 45th St. (Between Broadway and 8th Ave)
New York
Related Articles:

NEW YORK MAGAZINE: Allow Actor-philosopher Andre DeShields to blow your mind.
NEW YORK MAGAZINE The Impressionist: André De Shields
PLAYBILL.COM’S CUE & A: André De Shields
André De Shields in Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory from Douglass to Deliverance

Lia Chang: André De Shields in Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance

ANDRE DE SHIELDS as Frederick Douglass (Photo by Lia Chang)

Channeling Frederick Douglass, Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. and Barack Obama in Mine Eyes Have Seen The Glory: From Douglass to Deliverance, award-winning Broadway star André De Shields was a powerful and mesmerizing tour-de-force for a standing room only audience on February 9, 2009.  The special performance, in celebration of Black History Month, was presented by Actors Equity Association’s EEO (Equal Employment Opportunity) Committee at SEIU District 1199, 310 West 43rd St in New York. Click on the arrow below for an excerpt of the performance.

Conceived, researched and written by Mr. De Shields, Mine Eyes was directed by Alfred Preisser, Artistic Director, Classical Theatre of Harlem, where Mr. De Shields has frequently performed.

ANDRE DE SHIELDS as Frederick Douglass (Photo by Lia Chang)

Mr. De Shields notes that the months of January and February 2009 host “a constellation of precedent setting historic events: Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday (Jan 19); the inauguration of our first African-American President, Barack Obama (Jan 20); the Bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln (Feb 12) and the anniversary of Frederick Douglass’ birth. In my performance, I explore the life and achievements of the Great Emancipator, Frederick Douglass. Douglass began his life as a slave, through heroic efforts, became one of America’s most important and historically influential African American leaders.”

The multiple Tony Award nominee has appeared in numerous Broadway, Off Broadway and regional productions as well as television and film, and  returns to Broadway this season in Impressionism, the world premiere of a new play by Michael Jacobs, which stars Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons, and opens March 12. On Broadway, he appeared in the original casts of The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Emmy Award), Play On!, The Full Monty and Prymate. He also conceived, co-wrote, directed, and starred in Haarlem Nocturne. In 2007, he won the coveted OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence in Performance. His television credits include Cosby, Sex and the City, Law & Order, Lipstick Jungle and Life on Mars. He has served on Actors Equity’s Council since 1992.