Cady McClain Teams With Austin Pendleton for Summer One-Act
NYC’s soap star returns to the stage in a derring-do one-act directed by a theatre legend.
Image: Instagram
Meet The Production
Cady McClain is back in New York theatre this summer, teaming up once again with veteran director Austin Pendleton to bring Walter John Thompson’s tightly wound one-act to The Chain Theatre’s 2025 Summer One Act Festival. McClain shared her enthusiasm on Instagram: “So this is happening! I’m really excited to get to work with the mighty Austin Pendleton again… Can’t wait to play again with my friend in acts of derring do, Ryan Tramont!”
The production joins Program #2 of the monthlong festival, which showcases fresh work by emerging and established playwrights. Festival organizers have dubbed this year’s line-up “hot,” and with McClain’s proven stage chops and Pendleton’s directorial flair, tickets are expected to move fast.
About Cady Mcclain
McClain’s name is synonymous with daytime drama, thanks to memorable turns on shows like Days of Our Lives and As the World Turns. A three-time Daytime Emmy winner, she transitioned from soap operas to stage and screen roles across film, television and independent theatre. According to her Wikipedia entry, McClain began acting professionally at age eight and has since earned acclaim for her versatility and depth.
Beyond the soaps, McClain has remained active in New York’s theatre scene. Late last year she teased followers with a brief Instagram update: “Hey hey. More exciting stuff coming this summer…” alongside tags for @chaintheatrenyc and @walterjohnthompson. That post turned out to be a prologue to her current one-act collaboration with Pendleton.
Show Details And Tickets
Performances run three nights only:
• July 22 at 8PM
• August 1 at 8PM
• August 2 at 8PM
All shows are staged at The Chain, 312 West 36th Street, 3rd floor, in Manhattan’s Garment District. McClain encourages fans to act quickly: “We will sell out, no joke, this festival is HOT, so if you feel like coming to see an awesome show, don’t wait!! Please get your tix now!”
Tickets can be purchased via the link in McClain’s Instagram profile, and a discount code (WAS25) is available at checkout. Festival passes and single-show tickets start at $15 but are expected to sell out well in advance of opening night.
As part of the show’s promotional materials, a striking painting by Marco Orlaton (used with permission) appears on the festival poster. Orlaton’s bold brushwork and theatrical palette capture a sense of mystery and movement—qualities audiences can expect when the curtain rises.
McClain will share the stage with Ryan Tramont, known for his recent portrayal of Laurence Olivier in “Orson’s Shadow.” Pendleton, a Tony-nominated actor and director whose credits span Broadway and film, returns to the director’s chair for festival audiences eager for intimate, high-energy storytelling.
A Legacy Of Collaboration
This isn’t McClain and Pendleton’s first rodeo. The pair first connected through a mutual passion for new works, and their collaborations are noted for blending humor, tension and nuanced performances. In interviews dating back to 2023, Pendleton praised McClain’s “fearless commitment to character,” while McClain credits Pendleton’s guidance for unlocking fresh layers in her craft.
Though full-length runs can span months, one-acts demand precision and electric chemistry. Audiences at The Chain can anticipate a compact, 45-minute narrative that delves into the charged undercurrents of Thompson’s writing.
Behind the scenes, McClain remains committed to championing emerging playwrights. She’s served as an artistic director and reading facilitator for Axial Theatre and has directed staged readings in Los Angeles alongside industry peers. Those roles underscore her devotion to theatre development—a thread that runs naturally into her current summer project.
With three performance dates, an A-list director, and a veteran screen star at the center, this one-act is shaping up to be one of the season’s most buzzed-about experiments in storytelling. Whether you’re a lifelong McClain fan or a Pendleton devotee, The Chain’s festival promises an evening of daring performances and tight dramatic focus.
That’s the playbill for Program #2 of The Chain Theatre’s 2025 Summer One Act Festival—three nights only, and already generating serious word of mouth. Get your tickets, mark your calendars, and prepare for a night of theatre that hinges on every word, glance and gesture.
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