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The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company and The Gene Frankel Theatre
Proudly Present

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
​

Written By Jethro Compton
Based on the short story by Dorothy M. Johnson
​

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!!!​

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"A Classic Tale of Law & Order Versus Intimidation & Violence in the Old West”
When Ransome Foster, a scholar from  New York City, first came to the town of Twotrees he arrived bloody and beaten. Yet after a quick recovery and a promise to a young woman to help her learn to read, Foster begins to change the small town he starts to call home with love & education.
 
This catches the attention of Liberty Valance, an outlaw who seeks to restore his view of ”the norms of society” through terror & bloodshed.  Suddenly, Foster finds himself on a collision course with the experienced gunman forcing him to make a choice: to run or to stand up for what he believes in, to live or to fight for what is right…
 
Please join Onomatopoeia for this classic tale of good versus evil, of law & order versus intimidation & violence, of one man versus Liberty Valance.


​Most people do not think of a theatrical production when they think of a “Western”, they think of film. Movies such as “The Searchers”, “The Good, The Bad and The Ugly”, or even “Blazing Saddles”. For many the “Western” is a genre best known through the numerous films created in the golden age of Hollywood.
 
This is part of what makes Jethro Compton’s stage adaptation of “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” so wonderful. The story of “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” is probably best known from the 1962 film by John Ford, starring John Wayne, James Stewart, Lee Marvin and Vera Miles. The film is considered a timeless classic, but, like many films, it does not entirely follow the original story by Dorothy M. Johnson. Playwright Jethro Compton has smartly based his theatrical production on her original story, allowing him to put a fresh coat of paint on this classic fable, dealing with timeless issues such as racism, guns, and violence in America. This enables the theatrical production to truly become something special: a live action “Western” that honors the classic film, speaks to modern issues and touches upon universal themes, such as love and forgiveness.
 
Though the play is consummately American, it was given its world premiere at London’s Park Theatre in May of 2014. This was followed by its American premiere at the Rubicon Theatre in Los Angeles in March of 2016. Now The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company is proud to be presenting the New York City premiere of “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” this July at the Gene Frankel Theatre.

June 26 – July 26
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at The Gene Frankel Theatre
24 Bond St. Manhattan, New York 10012
Tickets
$35 – Regular
$25 – Student / Senior
BUY TICKETS HERE

"Every once in a while reviewers get a great surprise. A production wanders into town, kinda like an aimless cowpoke, with no advance notice and little previous reputation, and turns into a fine contribution to the community."
​
New York Theatre Review​


Cast

Leighton Samuels* - RANSOME FOSTER
Mari Blake* – HALLIE JACKSON
Samuel Shurtleff* - BERT BARRICUNE
Daniel Kornegay - JIM “THE REVEREND” MOSTEN
Derek Jack Chariton* - LIBERTY VALANCE
Scott Zimmerman*-MARSHALL JOHNSON / UNDERSTUDY FOR BERT BARRICUNE
Dillon Collins - JAKE DOWITT / UNDERSTUDY FOR LIBERTY VALANCE 
​
Ben-David Carlson* - DEPUTY, THE GANG, MOURNERS, STUDENTS / UNDERSTUDY FOR RANSOME FOSTER
Emily Cummings - MOURNERS, STUDENTS / UNDERSTUDY FOR HALLIE JACKSON
 
* Appearing Courtesy of Actors Equity Association.

Crew

Thomas R. Gordon – DIRECTOR
Nia Bakari – STAGE MANAGER
Jo Calhoun - ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Susan Yanofsky - COSTUME DESIGNER
Nino Amari – SET DESIGNER
Reid Sullivan – LIGHTING DESIGNER
Daniel Kornegay – GRAPHIC DESIGN / SOCIAL MEDIA
Jhon Figueredo - TECHNICAL DIRECTOR

Andrea Alton / Alton PR - PRESS CONTACT

Prodcution Photos
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 2022

Poster Image
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance poster credits
Original Art: "Cactus Flowers" by Anna Elizabeth
Graphic Design: Jay Cruz​

Production Photography 2022
Joshua Eichenbaum

“The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.
 
www.concordtheatricals.com
The Onomatopoeia Theatre Company
Creating Theatre With Sound