"...history ... is just one f*@#$%'n thing after another."

The Heights Players will begin the New Year by presenting The History Boys by Alan Bennett. Winner of the 2006 Tony Award for Best Play, the play also swept all of the Britain's West End awards as well and spawned a feature film as well. A sort of pop-culture phenomenon, The History Boys is an irreverent look at the structure and value of education.

Set in a British boy's school around 1980, the play follows a group of eight sixth-form (senior) lads as they are groomed by their teachers for their examinations for Oxford and Cambridge, Britain's finest universities. They are being led by two distinctly different teachers; one an older maverick teacher whose mission is to broaden the boy's horizons in sometime undefined directions and a younger teacher who questions both the old teaching methods as well as the aim of the student's education altogether.

After a self-imposed one-year hiatus, veteran director Robert J. Weinstein (Gemini, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Angels in America Parts 1 & 2, A View from the Bridge, Romeo and Juliet, among 15 others) returns to direct this production. Assisting Rob is Assistant Director Emily D. Wright, seen on our stage in October in Pirates of Penzance as well as previous seasons' State Fair, Gala '07 and Carousel. She also served as Stage Manager for last season's opener, God's Favorite.

The cast for The History Boys is a very talented ensemble of actors. The group is made of a mix of newcomers and Heights veterans. Our teachers and administrators at the Sheffield School are portrayed by the following three veterans. Steven Bergquist (A View from the Bridge, Oliver, My Fair Lady and Follies) returns as Hector, the English teacher whose lessons teach his students' hearts. Elizabeth Bove (The Country Girl, The Dinner Party) returns as Lintott, the boy's history teacher whose teaching style is structured, but full of opinions. Harley Diamond (Cheaper by the Dozen, Call Me Madam, Fiddler on the Roof, Midsummer Night's Dream) also returns as the rigid, by-the-rules Headmaster. Rounding out the faculty is newcomer Michael Rhett as Irwin, a progressive teacher who is brought in to coach the boys for their "Oxbridge" university exams.

As the boys themselves, the ensemble is largely made of newcomers. Heights Players veteran, Dave Benger (Gemini, Carousel), playing Posner, is the only one of the group of students who has been on our stage in the past. The other boys – featuring Lee Foster as Lockwood, Shaz Khan as Timms, Kelvin Moon Loh as Crowther, Tim McKiernan as Dakin, Cory Pajka as Akthar, Justin Scalzo as Scripps and Luke Tudball as Rudge – all make their Heights Players debuts in this production.

Rob has assembled a group of the usual suspects for his creative team. Gerry Newman and Bill Wood designed the scenery. Gerry and Bill also collaborated on the poster design. Newcomer Claire Aquila designed the costumes. Rob designed the lights and sound. Gary Vanderputten, as always, served as the Technical Director. John Bourne and Albert Walsh are handling the reservations and House Managing duties. Jill Lewis-Kelly directed the publicity efforts. In the booth will be Kristen Keim on lights and newcomer John Thomas on sound.

So join us in the New Year! The History Boys runs Fridays and Saturdays, January 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 8:00 p.m., and Sundays, January 11, 18 and 25 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $13.00 for seniors and children. Reservations can be made by calling 718-237-2752 or by clicking here.