Dividing the Estate, by Horton Foote

Horton by the Stream, formerly an outdoor summer theater now in collaboration with the Catskill Mountain Foundation, will present Dividing the Estate by Horton Foote for four performances on Saturdays and Sundays July 15, 16, 22 & 23 at 2:00 pm at the Doctorow Center for the Arts in Hunter. Horton Foote, Pulitzer Prize and Academy Award winning writer, is most recognized for his screenplays of To Kill A Mockingbird, The Chase, Tender Mercies, Of Mice and Men starring John Malkovich and The Trip To Bountiful with Academy Award-winning actress Geraldine Page.

Actor Frank Girardeau has appeared in no less than 12 professional productions of Mr. Foote’s plays in NYC and regionally. He also appeared in the film The Tavern, written and produced by Walter Foote. When presented with a chance to form a summer theater in the Catskills, Frank immediately thought of the work of Horton Foote. Mr. Foote writes about his hometown and the people he grew up listening to in Wharton, TX. He has fondly renamed the town Harrison in his plays. Frank also comes from Beaumont, TX and the two share their young beginnings there.

Dividing the Estate was performed on Broadway in 2001 with the esteemed Elizabeth Ashley and Hallie Foote, as well as Gerald McRainey and Penny Fuller. This hilarious and pathos-driven comic drama hits the heart of every family who has ever lived through a similar scenario—splitting up the family fortune with a rambunctious and opinionated group exhibiting all manner of family dynamics. It’s hilarious, it’s vexing and it’s moving, just like everyone’s family. If only dividing the estate of a loved one and settling their affairs in the midst of grief weren’t so universally challenging … but it is.

Horton by the Stream’s mission is to bring life to every Horton Foote play we possibly can, as well as other plays by the truly authentic voices of American playwrights. We aim to realize each play to its fullest potential, casting and producing the play as close to the author’s vision as we can, and always staying true to the marrow of the play—the truth of human beings and their foibles. This play, not often done because of its size—13 actors—is a true gem. Hilarious and moving by turns, the cast includes Sharon Ulrick (film: The Last Picture Show; original Broadway production: Crimes of the Heart by Beth Henley); John Michalski (film: Drugstore Cowboy) and Jan Leslie Harding (Delores by Edward Allen Baker).

Horton by the Stream urges audiences to come early and have a picnic specially prepared for the matinee by Fellow Cafe (fellowmountaincafe.com). Located just down the street from the theater, picnic tables and plenty of green grass and sunshine are provided outside. Snacks, candy and popcorn are sold inside the theater as well as lemonade and brownies. Across the street are antiques and a wonderful frog pond.

This is our 29th summer season of performing plays by Horton Foote for a suggested donation. Come and experience some of the best theater on the Mountaintop with world class actors. When asked what drove him to keep writing well into his 90’s, Horton Foote answered simply, ”I’m still listening.” So are we Horton, and we are grateful to be listening to a master observer of the human condition.

The Doctorow Center for the Arts is located at 7971 Main Street in the Village of Hunter. Tickets are $20 by suggested donation. For more information visit hortonbythestream.org. To make reservations, call 917 991 9537.