Fried wraps acting residency with ‘Stories’

Actor Jonathan Fried wrapped up a weeklong residency at Emerson College with a performance of excerpts of Dressing Room Stories in the Semel Theater on September 26, which took the audience through the life of actor Alvin Epstein, who was in attendance for the performance, along with Robert Brustein, founder of the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge.

Actor Alvin Epstein (sitting) was honored in a performance at the Semel Theater on September 26. From left, Robert Brustein of the American Repertory Theatre, Rob Orchard of ArtsEmerson, Melia Bensussen, chair of Performing Arts, actor Jonathan Fried, and Emerson Trustee Marillyn Zacharis. (Photo by Nick Eaton ’17) 

Dressing Room Stories reveals textured details of Epstein’s storied life, beginning with remembrances of World War II through his breakout roles of Lucky in Waiting for Godot and Clov in Endgame.

Fried also met with Emerson students earlier in the week to talk about his work.

Fried’s acclaimed acting career, with a focus on Shakespeare and contemporary American classics, spans more than 25 years; he has appeared at virtually every major regional theater in the country. In New York, Fried has worked on major productions and revivals of Shakespeare; and, in 2010, he spent a year acting with The Bridge Project, directed by Sam Mendes and conceived by Mendes and Kevin Spacey (House of Cards, American Beauty).

Fried’s residency and performance resulted from collaboration between Performing Arts and ArtsEmerson: The World On Stage.

Actor Jonathan Fried held a week-long residency in conjunction with Performing Arts and ArtsEmerson: The World On Stage the week of September 26. (Photo by Michelle Kwong ’15)