NEW YORK, NY – The American Theatre of Actors (ATA) is proud to announce a rare professional revival of “A Desperate Game,” the 1853 one-act comedy by master farceur John Maddison Morton. Directed by John DeBenedetto, the production will run from May 20th through May 31st, 2026, serving as a cornerstone of the ATA’s landmark 50th Anniversary Classical Season.
Originally premiered at London’s Theatre Royal Adelphi on April 9, 1853, “A Desperate Game” showcases the sharp-tongued wit and frantic energy that made Morton the most popular playwright of his era. The plot follows a wealthy, independent widow as she is relentlessly pursued by two very different suitors, each maneuvering with “desperate” stakes to win her hand—and her fortune.
John Maddison Morton, perhaps best known as the creator of the enduring Box and Cox, was a titan of mid-19th-century comedy whose influence stretched from the music halls of London to the operettas of Gilbert & Sullivan. Despite his historical significance and prolific output, much of Morton’s expansive catalog has remained unperformed for over a century. This production offers New York audiences a unique opportunity to rediscover a “lost” masterpiece of the Victorian stage.
THE CAST
- Stephanie Sottile as Mrs. Somerton
- Ted Doyle as Capt. Ratcliffe
- Paul Maurizio as Percy Postlewaite
- Charles Kennedy IV as Patrick
- Alex Silverman as David
This production continues the ATA’s half-century tradition of providing visibility for theatrical works outside the mainstream commercial industry. By returning Morton’s linguistic dexterity to the stage, the ATA celebrates the legacy of a writer whose comedic structures paved the way for generations of playwrights.
About the American Theatre of Actors (ATA): Founded in 1976, the ATA is one of the longest-running independent theaters in New York City. Dedicated to the development of new playwrights and the revitalization of classical repertoire, the ATA has served as a creative home for thousands of theater artists over its 50-year history.
LISTING INFORMATION
What: A Desperate Game by John Maddison Morton
Directed by: John DeBenedetto
Where: American Theatre of Actors, New York, NY
When: May 20 – 31, 2026
Showtones 