The Aspern Papers

"The Aspern Papers is an engaging show, proof that literary adaptations are able to lift themselves from the page and become fully alive…” – Amy Freeman, offoffonline

"The Aspern Papers is well worth a look… Director Shawn Rozsa shows that he is as deft with drama as he is with the wild comedy of the recent production of Scapin… The cast is strong… Lambert is excellent… Rothan is exceptional… King does a good job playing the oh-so-slick Scampo." – Byrne Harrison, Stage Buzz

“The Aspern Papers continues its theatrical life revitalized…these actors are playing in enough of a grand style to fulfill the atmosphere Henry James would have liked to see.” – Eugene Paul, Theater Scene

“Zuckerman and Rozsa find a way to pace the story well for the stage…There’s a good bit of suspense, and a delightful performance by Carol Lambert…Importantly, there’s also Kyle Dixon’s spectacular garden set, which draws “ahs” from the audience even before the action begins. Luridly lit by Shaun Suchan, it seems to crawl with life and decay." – Jon Sobel, Theater Editor, Blog Critics Magazine

One of James’s personal favorites, The Aspern Papers features rich characters in a well-crafted story of the depths of deceit that an American scholar will go in order to secure the private letters of a famous poet. Set in 1880s Venice and laced with romance and duplicity, this classic is a rare theatrical treat to see on the New York stage, celebrating 100 years since the publishing of the New York edition of The Aspern Papers.

The Aspern Papers masterfully displays how personal weaknesses can be unscrupulously exploited while also raising questions, quite relevant in today’s tabloid tell-all society, about the right to privacy. Director Shawn Rozsa will bring this psychological thriller to vivid life in the garden and study of a Venetian mansion in the newly renovated Turtle’s Shell Theater.