Emory Report

January 19, 1999

Volume 51, No. 16

Cockfighter joins Humana Festival The collaboration of Emory's Frank Manley and Vincent Murphy on The Cockfighter has earned an invitation to the 1999 Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre in Louisville, Ky., the foremost festival for producing new works in North America. Murphy adapted the coming-of-age tale from Manley's debut novel of the same name; Murphy also will direct the festival production. "Given the fact that the focus of much of my life and career has been 'brave new works,' this is like going to the Superbowl of brave new works," Murphy said. "I'm really pleased that Vincent was able to adapt the novel into a play that has translated so well to the stage," Manley said. While Murphy is casting the Humana production, Manley will make slight adaptations to the script. The Cockfighter debuted at Atlanta's PushPush Theatre last fall, with Emory College junior Allen Read in one of the play's three roles. This invitation marks return visits to Humana by both men: Manley's play Two Masters: A Play in Two Parts (later adapted into The Rain of Terror) was co-winner of the 1985 festival and starred Kathy Bates. Murphy directed John Lipsky's The Survivor at Humana two years ago. --Deb Hammacher Return to Jan. 19, 1999, contents page