The amazingly talented and versatile Fairfield actor David Pittu opened in a new off-Broadway play Tuesday night, “Equivocation,” at the Manhattan Theatre Club.
Bill Cain’s drama mixes history and fiction in a tale of William Shakespeare being commissioned to write a play about the “Gunpowder Plot,” an attempt by Catholic terrorists to blow up Parliament and King James I (the same bit of history that inspired the graphic novel and film, “V is for Vendetta”).
The show follows Will’s attempt to write the play with the help of some of his actors, including Pittu in the role of Nate (this is just one of several parts Pittu plays).
In the words of one critic, the writer “learns that the key to survival is equivocation, a way to speak the truth in difficult times.”
Reviews for the play were mixed, but everyone admired Pittu’s work, with Christopher Isherwood writing in The New York Times, “Mr. Pittu plays the sinister Cecil with a savory, ripe sense of cool malice.”
The 42-year-old actor is perfect for any show that calls for its cast members to play more than one part; over the past few years, Pittu has demonstrated the ability to excel in a wide array of comic and dramatic roles. He’s also done musicals with great success — earning a well-deserved Tony nomination for his performance as Bertolt Brecht (opposite Donna Murphy as Lotte Lenya) in the underrated 2007 show, “Lovemusik.”
He’s the New York theater’s man of a thousand faces and always a good reason to see a new play.
“Equivocation” is set to run through March 28 at MTC, 131 W. 55th St. For ticket info, go to www.playbill.com - use code BBX2 to get a 40 percent discount.
