'Balm in Gilead' at the American Theatre of Actors

The Barefoot Theatre Company presents Balm in Gilead, by Lanford Wilson, at the American Theatre of Actors' Sargeant Theater from the 27 Oct - 20 Nov 2005.

Balm in Gilead peeks into the lives and conversations of the drifters, junkies, prostitutes and hustlers who patronize an all-night coffee shop. Over the course of 'a week or two' we hear, like an orchestral chorus, the wants and wishes pined for by this ragtag crew of hapless hopefuls who remain optimistic despite overwhelming reasons not to be. At the center of it all are two, young, able bodied outcasts who have cause to have hope, but in a sign of the times are the most despondant of them all.

Balm in Gilead is being directed by Eric Nightengale who was the assistant director of the Steppenwolf production in 1980. He is currently Artistic Director for the 78th Street Theatre Lab and has served as Artistic Director for Actors Repertory Theatre in Chicago and his work at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has resulted in three Fringe First awards, six published scripts, a Best Ensemble award, and a London transfer.

The play stars Anna Chlumsky who was made famous in the films My Girl and My Girl II starring McCauley Culkin. She most recently appeared in the Fringe Festival hit Half Life.

The rest of the cast includes Victoria Malvagano, Diego Ajuz, Jeremy Brena, Louis Reyes Cardenas, Sabrina C. Cataudella, John Gazzale, Trey Gibbons, Jerzy Gwiazdowski, Elizabeth June, Jeff Keilhotz, David Lamberton, Luke Leonard, Michael LoPorto, Ruben Luque, Victoria Malvagano, Diane Mashburn, Joe B. McCarthy, Chiara Montalto, Roderick Nash, Luca Pierucci, Francisco Solorzano, Jennie West, and Christopher Whalen.