"Bill W. and Dr. Bob" at New Rep

In March, New Rep will present "Bill W. and Dr. Bob," detailing the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in the early 1930s. Directed by Rick Lombardo, this production features film and television veterans Patrick Husted and Kathleen Doyle, along with Robert Krakovski, Deanna Dunmyer, Rachel Harker and Marc Carver. "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" will run March 5 - 26 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street in Watertown.

Written by local playwrights Stephen Bergman (also a novelist under the pen name Samuel Shem) and Janet Surrey, "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" has a long history with New Rep, having received one of its first readings at the theatre in March of 1990.

In a fluid style, the play explores the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous by documenting the deeply personal struggle of its two founders – stockbroker Bill Wilson and surgeon Bob Smith – and their families.

From the final days of the roaring twenties to the depths of the Great Depression, from the bars of Staten Island to the city hospitals of Akron, Ohio, "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" provides a compassionate, cathartic, and often humorous rendering of a thoroughly American success story.

Rick Lombardo, Producing Artistic Director, commented 'Bill W. and Dr. Bob' talks about something remarkable, and it’s a story that isn’t often told. I liked the fact that New Rep helped the play along in its first readings, and now we have an opportunity to let a larger audience know about this tremendously important achievement in American history.”

Stephen Bergman was a doctor on the Harvard Medical faculty for more than thirty years and, under the pen name Samuel Shem is also a playwright and novelist. His plays "Room for One Woman" and "Napoleon’s Dinner" were produced Off-Off Broadway, and his novels include The House of God, Fine and Mount Misery. His novels have sold over two million copies in fifty countries and he has been honored as one of the Boston Public Library’s “Literary Lights.”

Janet Surrey is the author of many books and papers in the area of relational psychology, spirituality, relational psychology, women's psychological development, spirituality and addiction. She is coauthor of the books: Women's Growth in Connection: Writings from the Stone Center, Mothering Against the Odds, and (with Stephen Bergman) We Have to Talk: Healing Dialogues Between Women and Men. She is a contributing author for Women's Growth in Diversity, The Complexity of Connection and Mindfulness and Psychotherapy.

The cast of "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" includes Broadway performers, film and television actors, and a host of local Boston artists.

Patrick Husted plays Bob Smith; his previous film appearances include "The Cradle Will Rock," "Blow," the upcoming "All the King’s Men" and several appearances on "Law and Order" and "LA Law."

Robert Krakovski co-stars as Bill Wilson, after appearing regionally in productions at Hartford Stage, the McCarter Theatre, San Jose Repertory Theatre, and the Orlando Shakespeare Festival, among others.

Kathleen Doyle, with multiple Broadway and Off-Broadway credits, will play Anne Smith. A winner of the Barrymore Award and a Drama Desk nominee, she appeared on Broadway in "The Odd Couple" (female version) while her film credits include "Sidewalks of New York," "Mighty Aphrodite" and "Brighton Beach Memoirs."

The production also features Rachel Harker, Deanna Dunmyer and Marc Carver.

AFF/ENT Theatrical, an entertainment company based in Palm Beach, Florida, has provided enhancement funding for the New Rep production, and there is strong interest in taking the show to New York in the fall.

For more information, contact the box office at 617-923-8487 or visit www.newrep.com.

Presentation of this work does not imply affiliation with nor approval or endorsement from Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc.

-- OnStage Boston

			New Rep's "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" In March, New Rep will present "Bill W. and Dr. Bob," detailing the founding of Alcoholics Anonymous in the early 1930s. Directed by Rick Lombardo, this production features film and television veterans Patrick Husted and Kathleen Doyle, along with Robert Krakovski, Deanna Dunmyer, Rachel Harker and Marc Carver. "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" will run March 5 - 26 at the Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal Street in Watertown. Written by local playwrights Stephen Bergman (also a novelist under the pen name Samuel Shem) and Janet Surrey, "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" has a long history with New Rep, having received one of its first readings at the theatre in March of 1990. In a fluid style, the play explores the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous by documenting the deeply personal struggle of its two founders – stockbroker Bill Wilson and surgeon Bob Smith – and their families. From the final days of the roaring twenties to the depths of the Great Depression, from the bars of Staten Island to the city hospitals of Akron, Ohio, "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" provides a compassionate, cathartic, and often humorous rendering of a thoroughly American success story. Rick Lombardo, Producing Artistic Director, commented 'Bill W. and Dr. Bob' talks about something remarkable, and it’s a story that isn’t often told. I liked the fact that New Rep helped the play along in its first readings, and now we have an opportunity to let a larger audience know about this tremendously important achievement in American history.” Stephen Bergman was a doctor on the Harvard Medical faculty for more than thirty years and, under the pen name Samuel Shem is also a playwright and novelist. His plays "Room for One Woman" and "Napoleon’s Dinner" were produced Off-Off Broadway, and his novels include The House of God, Fine and Mount Misery. His novels have sold over two million copies in fifty countries and he has been honored as one of the Boston Public Library’s “Literary Lights.” Janet Surrey is the author of many books and papers in the area of relational psychology, spirituality, relational psychology, women's psychological development, spirituality and addiction. She is coauthor of the books: Women's Growth in Connection: Writings from the Stone Center, Mothering Against the Odds, and (with Stephen Bergman) We Have to Talk: Healing Dialogues Between Women and Men. She is a contributing author for Women's Growth in Diversity, The Complexity of Connection and Mindfulness and Psychotherapy. The cast of "Bill W. and Dr. Bob" includes Broadway performers, film and television actors, and a host of local Boston artists. Patrick Husted plays Bob Smith; his previous film appearances include "The Cradle Will Rock," "Blow," the upcoming "All the King’s Men" and several appearances on "Law and Order" and "LA Law." Robert Krakovski co-stars as Bill Wilson, after appearing regionally in productions at Hartford Stage, the McCarter Theatre, San Jose Repertory Theatre, and the Orlando Shakespeare Festival, among others. Kathleen Doyle, with multiple Broadway and Off-Broadway credits, will play Anne Smith. A winner of the Barrymore Award and a Drama Desk nominee, she appeared on Broadway in "The Odd Couple" (female version) while her film credits include "Sidewalks of New York," "Mighty Aphrodite" and "Brighton Beach Memoirs." The production also features Rachel Harker, Deanna Dunmyer and Marc Carver. AFF/ENT Theatrical, an entertainment company based in Palm Beach, Florida, has provided enhancement funding for the New Rep production, and there is strong interest in taking the show to New York in the fall. For more information, contact the box office at 617-923-8487 or visit www.newrep.com. Presentation of this work does not imply affiliation with nor approval or endorsement from Alcoholics Anonymous World Services Inc. -- OnStage Boston 02/09/06

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