Join PinnWorth Productions at Kelsey Theater for “A Man for All Seasons,” based on the life and times of the British Lord Chancellor Thomas More. When one’s own conscience proves stronger than the strongest political pressures, a high price is bound to be paid. The historical drama will be onstage from Friday, January 9, to Sunday, January 18. A reception with the cast and crew follows the opening night performance on January 9.
Matters of politics, religion, friendship, and loyalty collide as Henry VIII contemplates divorcing his barren first wife, Catherine of Aragon, in order to marry Anne Boleyn and produce an heir to the throne of England. Henry’s loyal chancellor, Sir Thomas More, is a deeply devout Roman Catholic and cannot make peace with the plan, putting him squarely at odds with the king and numerous rivals in the court, most notably the formidable Thomas Cromwell.
“We live in an age of compromise and revenge, where doing the easy thing is often the choice that is made instead of doing the right thing. More, a man of morals and principles, refuses easy compromise,” says Lou J. Stalsworth, the director of the production. He also notes that the central role of the Common Man, who appears as narrator, household servant, boatman, innkeeper, juryman, and executioner, makes the audience a part of the story.
“A Man for All Seasons” premiered in London in 1960 and later came to Broadway. In addition to several revivals, “A Man for All Seasons” was made into an Academy Award-winning film in 1966. It has been performed by theater companies throughout the country and on television. The cast includes West Windsor residents Andrew James Gordon as William Roper and Russ Weiss as Bishop Cranmer.
Acting since childhood, Gordon credits his career path to Georgine Hall, a teacher of drama at the Lewis School and a professional actor. During his years at High School North, he was in productions including “High School Musical.” He performed in “The Pregnancy Project,” a play about teen pregnancy, on stage in New York City in 2010.
After graduating from Mercer County Performing Arts High School and North in 2010 he studied at New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, a two-year school, with a focus on acting. He studied the Meisner technique, acting for television, film, and more.
Born in Australia, Gordon has lived in West Windsor since 2001. His mother, Jill, is the school nurse at Saint Ann School in Lawrenceville and his father, Neil, is a senior trial manager of clinical drug supply at Novartis Pharmaceuticals. His sister, Verity, a June graduate from High School North, is focusing on a career in fashion design. “They always come to opening night and are behind me 100 percent,” he says of his family.
#b#A Man for All Seasons, Kelsey Theater, Mercer Community College#/b#, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Weekends, Friday, January 9, to Sunday, January 18. Drama based on the life of Sir Thomas More, counselor to King Henry VIII, presented by PinnWorth Productions. $18. 609-570-3333. www.kelseytheatre.net.
