Swimming at the Ritz Set to Make Its US Premiere at New Jersey Repertory Company
(courtesy of NJ Rep)
The U.S. premiere of Charles Leipart's Swimming At The Ritz begins performances this evening at New Jersey Repertory Company in Long Branch. The limited engagement is set to run through February 1 with an official opening on January 10.
Directed by SuzAnne Barabas, Swimming at the Ritz is based on the real-life events of socialite Pamela Churchill Hayward Harriman, who was appointed U.S. Ambassador to France in 1993 by President Bill Clinton. Dubbed the ultimate "party girl," Harriman lived an extravagant lifestyle at the luxurious Ritz in Paris while spending her stepchildren’s inheritance. These next of kin, however, eventually decided to conspire with their attorneys to shut her down. On the edge of losing everything, Harriman is left with her only remaining friend — a handsome young Italian valet to whom she reveals her journey, from man to man and bed to bed.
Judith Hawking and Christopher Daftsios star in the premiere production. The creative features set design by Jessica Parks, lighting design by Jill Nagle, sound design by Merek Royce Press, and costume design by Patricia E. Doherty.
For tickets and more information, click here.
