Off-B'way Update: Tom Hanks Will Star at the Shed

Tom Hanks will star in
This World of Tomorrow, which he co-wrote,
at the Shed this fall.

Tom Hanks joins fellow Oscar winner George Clooney by starring in a NY production of a play he co-wrote. Hanks will headline This World of Tomorrow, which he co-authored with James Glossman, based on a book of Hanks' short stories. Previews begin Oct. 30 at the Griffin Theater at The Shed for a limited run through Dec. 21. The play will be directed by Tony winner Kenny Leon (Othello, Our Town). Hanks will play a scientist from the future who time travels back to the 1939 World's Fair in search of love.

“To explore the themes of love and yearning, and the struggles of today as we carry with us the eternal memories of the past, in such a place as The Shed, strikes me as a one-of-a-kind experience not unlike the World’s Fair of 1939,” Hanks said. 

“I’m excited to collaborate with the remarkable Tom Hanks on his and James Glossman’s new play at The Shed this fall. It will be a joy to experience Tom leading the cast on stage in this time-traveling adventure of the limitless power of love and the distance one is willing to go for it. This story explores a fascinating tale of the echoes of past generations, the often-surprising collisions between them, and what is carried forward with an authentic humor I can’t wait to bring to life in the Griffin Theater,” Leon said.

Weekend at Universal

The last time I was in Orlando had to be almost 20 years ago because I distinctly remember making a joke about going down there to help count hanging chads--a reference to the heinous Bush-Gore debacle of 2000. It was also December because there were Christmas themed events and performers in holiday costumes at the theme parks. My partner and I went to Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure, and all four Disney parks. It was loads of fun so when my brother Jonathan, a huge theme parkgoer suggested we spend the Martin Luther King Day weekend at Universal, I jumped at the chance. There had been many changes in the park since I was there last, chiefly the new Harry Potter rides, and I liked Universal more than Disney. The former struck me as more adult-oriented and Disney was more for kids and families.