Courtesy Headwall Theatre
Headwall Theatre Company will stage Martin McDonagh’s The Pillowman, a darkly
comedic and thought-provoking play, at The Secret Theatre in Woodside, NY. Directed
by Josh Lombard, the production will run from March 27 to April 12, with 7:30 p.m.
performances on March 27, 28, 29, April 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, and 12, and 2 p.m. matinees
on March 30 and April 6.
The play follows Katurian, a writer interrogated by two detectives over the disturbing
content of his short stories. As the investigation unfolds, it becomes clear that Katurian’s
tales mirror real-life murders in his town, leading to a gripping exploration of the
relationship between art, violence, and the power of the state to control creative
expression.
Featuring an Equity-approved cast, The Pillowman stars Jonathan Dauermann as
Tupolski, Brian Patterson as Katurian, Nicholas James Reilly as Ariel, Chris Robertson
as Michal, and Luli Ortega as Child. The play’s design team includes Assistant Director
Marianne Goodell, Technical Director John Orosz, and Makeup Designer Kyle Krueger.
Lombard, who has described the play as a haunting examination of storytelling’s impact,
noted that its themes of censorship, truth, and artistic freedom resonate strongly in
today’s climate. “In an era where debates about censorship and creative expression rage
across the nation, where artists and their work are censored, stifled, or erased from
history books, and where the line between fact and fiction grows increasingly blurred, the
play’s themes feel more urgent than ever,” said Lombard in a statement.
The production, which has been praised for its balance of humor and darkness, will run
approximately 150 minutes, including a 15-minute intermission. Tickets are available for
purchase on the company’s website at headwalltheatrecompany.org.
The Pillowman premiered in London in 2003 and had a Broadway debut in 2005,
winning multiple awards, including the Olivier Award for Best New Play and Tony
Awards for Best Lighting and Scenic Design.
Headwall Theatre Company, based in Queens, seeks to support emerging theater artists
and foster a vibrant, creative community. This production offers a chance to experience
McDonagh’s thought-provoking work in an intimate, community-driven setting.
For more information, visit headwalltheatrecompany.org or follow the company on social
media @headwalltheatre.
