Kate Walsh is an Off Broadway Sensation in Dusk Rings a Bell

Television and movie star, Kate Walsh, has become an Off Broadway sensation debuting in Stephen Belber's Dusk Rings a Bell. Walsh is spending her hiatus from Private Practice in New York City at the Atlantic Stage 2 Theater tucked away in the heart of the Meatpacking District. Paul Sparks, a well-known and brilliant Broadway veteran, stars along side Walsh in this two person play.

The bright red doors on the outside of the theater stand out on the tree lined residential street. The intimate setting in this tiny 99 seat theater provides the audience with a totally different experience than the large theaters on Broadway where binoculars are needed to see the actors on stage. The stage and scenery are simple, a wooden boardwalk set in Bethany Beach, Delaware. The audience is able to watch the amazing acting skills of Walsh and Sparks for 90 uninterrupted minutes. Those audience members familiar with the overly confident and sophisticated Dr. Addison Montgomery on Private Practice see a new side of Kate in her portrayal of Molly, a recently divorced, bright and talkative CNN news executive.

We first meet Molly in the opening scene at the beach house in Bethany Beach that her family rented when she was 15. She is now 39 and came to recover a note she wrote to herself 24 years ago. While there, she runs into Ray, a low key landscaper who lives at the beach. After a brief conversation, they both realize that they shared a kiss on a lifeguard stand that same summer. This brief and romantic encounter remained with both of them for years. The natural chemistry between Walsh and Sparks truly sparks. Kate's natural high energy and humorous style is a perfect balance to Paul's natural laid back style. This is truly pure acting at it's best. Without any scenery changes or costume changes, and no music or other actions, audience members have the pleasure of watching the astonishing acting skills of Wash and Sparks for 1 ½ hours non-stop.

And if this is not enough, Kate Walsh actually takes the time to meet with fans after the show to sign autographs and take pictures, even on a Saturday in between two shows. Dusk Rings a Bell has been extended for an additional week through June 26^th. If you are planning to be in the New York City area next week, this new play is definitely worth seeing. This is the opportunity of a lifetime to watch two amazing actors light up the stage at the Atlantic Stage 2 Theater.