Presented by 25 Columbus Circle; Directed by Ryan Dobrin; Starring Stephanie Styles (Carol Hayes), Daniel Mitura (Clayton Boyd), Michael J. Burg (Henry Willson), Cameron Forster (Jack Halpon); Stage Directions: Kate Flanagan.
“Sparkler, which is set in 1964 Hollywood, follows film star Clayton Boyd (Mitura), who is America’s favorite movie star. For years, studio moguls have maintained an aggressive publicity campaign to promote his masculinity, even providing him with the perfect wife, TV icon Carol Hayes (Styles). Behind the scenes, Clayton nurtures a wild affair with Jack Halpon (Forster), a former Mouseketeer with radical politics and big ideas. This flock of celebrity royals is governed by talent agent Henry Willson (Burg), whose methods of persuasion have become frighteningly draconian, but the time has come for Clayton, Carol, and Jack to escape this counterfeit kingdom.” Playbill
“Through the lens of 1964, on the heels of the Civil Rights Act and mere breaths away from the total transformation of America, the play speaks to the urgent call of truthful identity in the here and now. It was important not to bind myself to the biographies of actors from the past,” said playwright Erik Champney. “I didn't want to tell Rock Hudson's story. I wanted to tell the story. The legacy of gay men who were suffocated by studios, agents, and the expectations of society. All of this continues to this day. The characters, except for Henry Willson, may be fictional, but I think audiences will believe in them. I sure as hell do.” Broadway World
Presented by Jim Kierstead & Broadway Factor; Directed by Sheryl Kaller; Starring Alan Cumming (Henry Willson), Erich Bergen (Clayton Boyd), Christy Altomare (Carol Hayes), Garrett Clayton (Jack Halpon); With Raphael Corkhill; Stage Manager: Kristy Hess; Casting: Tara Rubin, C.S.A.; General Management: Devin Kuedell, Bespoke Theatricals; Press: Matt Polk, Polk & Co.
“A quartet of stage and screen favorites will take part in a private reading of Sparkler, a new play by Erik Champney.”PLAYBILL
“Jim Kierstead and Broadway Factor have announced a private industry reading for the new play, Sparkler.”BROADWAY WORLD
“Erik Champney's play is set in 1964 Hollywood.”THEATERMANIA
“A foursome of mega-talents will come together later this week for a reading of the new play Sparkler by Erik Champney.”ODDS & ENDS (BROADWAY.COM)