The Rise of Dorothy Hale Gets New Director, Opening Date

Pamela Hall will now direct the world premiere of Myra Bairstow’s The Rise of Dorothy Hale, which begins an open-ended run on September 19 at St. Luke’s Theater. The production, which will now open on October 4, was originally to be directed by Penny Templeton. No reason was given for the switch.

The show will star Michael Badalucco, Patrick Boll, Sarita Choudhury, Laura Koffman, Mark LaMura, and Sarah Wynter. It will feature set design by Josh Iacovelli and lighting design by Graham Kindred. Hall’s credits include Annulla, Picon Pie, and The Taffetas.

The play focuses on the life of Hale, the widow of American muralist Gardner Hale, who jumped from her apartment window in 1938 when she was 33 years old. Many years later, questions about Hale’s death surfaced when a painting done of her by Frida Kahlo was donated “anonymously” to a museum by Hale’s close friend, Claire Booth Luce.

Badalucco is best known for his Emmy Award-winning role of Jimmy Berluti on The Practice. Boll most recently appeared Off-Broadway in The Dark at the Top of the Stairs. Choudhury’s many films include Mississppi Masala and The Perez Family and her theater credits include Roar and The Flatted Fifth. Koffman is best known for her work as Cassie on the ABC daytime drama One Life to Live. LaMura is a noted stage actor and is best known for his work as Mark Dalton on the ABC daytime drama All My Children. Wynter’s many film and television credits include 24, Windfall, and Dead Like Me.