Kurt Vonnegut to Make Rare Public Appearance Following April 1 Performance of Happy Birthday, Wanda June

Kurt Vonnegut, Jr., author of the novels Slaughterhouse Five and Cat’s Cradle, will make a rare public appearance at a talkback immediately following the opening night performance of the Access Theater production of his play Happy Birthday, Wanda June on April 1.

The original Broadway production of Wanda June ran for 96 performances at the Edison Theatre in 1970 with a cast that included Marsha Mason, William Hickey, and Kevin McCarthy. A film version, directed by Mark Robson, was released the following year. Rachel Chavkin is directing the play for the Access Theater; featured in the cast are Daniel Deferrari, Jill Frutkin, Brian Hasthert, Andrew Kahrl, Liz Parker, Shannon Riley, James M. Saidy, Jake Thomas, and Charlie Wilson. Scenic design is by Jesse Hathaway Diaz, lighting design by Jay Sterkel, and costume design by Kristen Sieh.

Happy Birthday, Wanda June will run April 1-18, Tuesdays through Sundays at 8pm, at the Access Theater (380 Broadway, 4th Floor, two blocks south of Canal Street). For ticket information, call SmartTix at 212-868-4444 or visit www.SmartTix.com. Admission to the opening night performance, including the Vonnegut talkback, is $40 ($30 for students). E-mail mail@7thsign.info for reservations.