New Place Players present Shakespeare, dinner at Casa Duse in Park Slope
On the evening of Sept. 11, the New Place Players presented William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” while 22 diners enjoyed a five-course dinner by Chef Max Henson. This event was held at the elegant intimate townhouse of Casa Duse located at 16 Prospect Park West. Casa Duse was named for the great Italian actress Eleanora Duse (1858-1924) and formerly owned by Martin Waldron, who was her godson. This production was made possible by the generous contribution of affable host Robert Krakovski, the Casa Duse Collective and “the spirit of Martin Waldron.”
Casa Duse echoes the immortals that resonate and greet but never haunt this virtual museum of past treasures. Adorning the walls are autographed photos of theatre greats such as Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud, Noel Coward, Eleanora Duse and Charlie Chaplin, as well as opera luminaries, including tenor Enrico Caruso, composer Giuseppe Verdi, conductor Arturo Toscanini, Zinka Milanov, Joan Sutherland (“La Stupenda” to her fans) and her spouse, conductor Richard Bonynge, who were Waldron’s house guests and resided in the Casa Duse for several years.