Background: 

The 18^th century French novel, "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" by Choderlos de Laclos, has been adapted to the stage and screen many times, gaining wide recognition with the successful award-winning film in 1988.  Acclaimed playwright Christopher Hampton composed the version of the GW performance, however, GW will take the original pre-Revolution Paris setting to the 1920's.  The play revolves around a romantic love triangle where a man makes a wager with his ex-lover that he can seduce a virtuous woman.  What follows is an exciting, if not tragic story about revenge and control in the world of the Parisian upper class.

Alan Wade, director, is a professor of theater at GW and a professional actor and director. He has appeared off-Broadway at The Atlantic Theatre, regionally at Baltimore's Center Stage, and at several Washington, D.C. theatres including Arena Stage, The Studio Theatre, Signature Theatre, The Potomac Theatre Project (for which he received a Helen Hayes Award nomination), and The Washington Stage Guild.  On network television he has been seen on "Homicide," "A Man Called Hawk" and "John F. Kennedy and His Times."  Mr. Wade's movie credits include "The Pelican Brief" and "Major League II."   His directorial credits include four previous National Players tours and three productions for The Washington Stage Guild.  He has lectured at The Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Richmond College, London, and The University of Sussex in Brighton, England.  Wade is also a former editor of "Literature in Performance" and is on the editorial board of "Text and Performance Quarterly."

For more information please contact Jennifer Gerstein at the Department of Theatre and Dance at (202) 994-6178.

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