Guiding Light star Tom Pelphrey has joined the cast of Kevin Mandel’s new play, A New Television Arrives, Finally, wherein he will play a charismatic man who introduces himself as a television set to a young American couple. He will take turns playing the lead role with British thespian Victor Villar-Hauser (Cleansed, The Pitchfork Disney).
Directed by Kevin Kittle, the production is scheduled to run from September 6 to 30 at Theatre 54. Other members of the creative team are Chad Brinkman for sets and sounds, Rebecca Lustig for costumes and Robin Paterson for lighting.
Tom Pelphrey, whose previous work on stage include Shakespeare’s Globe Theater’s productions of Richard III and The Taming of the Shrew, recently returned to CBS’ Guiding Light as Jonathan Randall, son of Reva Shayne Lewis (Kim Zimmer) and Richard Winslow.
The 25-year-old actor first joined the cast of the CBS daytime drama series in September 2004. He left the show early this year, with his character faking his and his daughter’s death in order to escape Alan Spaulding (Ron Raines), Jonathan’s ex-wife’s controlling grandfather.
For the role, Pelphrey has received three Daytime Awards nominations for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama series, but has only won the category once. Additionally, he was also nominated for a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Male newcomer in 2005.
Rumors about Tom Pelphrey’s return to Guiding Light first erupted in June, but reports at the time stated that the producers and Pelphrey had yet to reach an agreement. The news of his return was finally confirmed last month, accompanied by reports of a Guiding Light book that tells of Jonathan’s life after he staged his death.
However, fans should not expect Pelphrey’s second time around on the daytime drama to last, as the actor is slated to make another exit this fall.
Pelphrey’s new episodes aired late July and early August.
-Lisa Claustro, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: www.soapcentral.com, www.theatermania.com
(Image Courtesy of CBS)
Staff Columnist, BuddyTV
