K2 (play) explained

K2
Setting:A mountain ledge
Place:Arena Stage, Washington, D.C.

K2 is a play by Patrick Meyers. It tells the story of two mountain climbers who find themselves trapped on a ledge on K2, the second-highest mountain in the world. The play premiered at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. in April 1982.

Synopsis

K2 is a one-act two-man play. It centers on mountain climbers Harold and Taylor, who find themselves trapped 27000feet above sea level on a ledge on the side of K2, the second-highest mountain in the world.[1] [2] [3]

Production history

K2 first ran at the Arena Stage's Kreeger Theater from April 23 to June 6, 1982.[4] The production was directed by Jacques Levy and starred Stephen McHattie and Stanley Anderson. It received rave reviews from The New York Times and The Washington Post, particularly for Ming Cho Lee's hyper-realistic set design.[3] [5] [6] Lee used over 50,000 board feet of styrofoam to build a set that simulated a massive icy mountainside.[2]

The play opened at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on Broadway on March 30, 1983. This production was directed by Terry Schreiber and starred Jeffrey DeMunn and Jay Patterson. It closed on June 11, 1983, after 10 previews and 85 regular performances.[1] K2 received three nominations at the 37th Tony Awards, winning Best Scenic Design for Lee's set.[1]

From December 15, 2000, to January 28, 2001, the play was revived at the Arena Stage. Wendy C. Goldberg directed the revival which starred Rick Holmes and Craig Wallace.[7] K2 has also been staged by other regional theaters, such as by the Virginia Stage Company at the Wells Theatre in 2014.[8]

Film adaptation

The play was adapted into a film of the same name in 1992.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: K2. Internet Broadway Database. July 25, 2019.
  2. Web site: K2. Variety. January 15, 2001. Paul. Harris. July 25, 2019.
  3. Web site: Theater: 'K2,' A Drama of Mountain-Climbing. The New York Times. May 5, 1982. Mel. Gussow. Mel Gussow. July 25, 2019.
  4. Web site: Production History. 10. Arena Stage. July 25, 2019.
  5. News: An Excellently Chilling 'K-2'. The Washington Post. April 30, 1982. Judith. Martin. Judith Martin. July 25, 2019.
  6. News: Atop 'K2,' the Soul on the Brink. The Washington Post. April 30, 1982. David. Richards. David Richards (writer). July 25, 2019.
  7. Web site: Ain't No Mountain High Enough: K2 Returns to DC's Arena Stage Dec. 15–Jan. 28. Playbill. December 15, 2000. July 25, 2019.
  8. Web site: VSC builds 40-foot, climbable mountain face for "K2". The Virginian-Pilot. September 25, 2014. Mal . Vincent. July 25, 2019.
  9. Web site: MOVIE REVIEW : 'K2': A Real Cliffhanger. Los Angeles Times. May 1, 1992. Kenneth. Turan. Kenneth Turan. July 25, 2019.