Actress Linda Mari Donnell seeks to shield the renowned author, JD Salinger of “Catcher in the Rye” from prying teenagers on River Bend Picture’s new period feature film “Coming Through the Rye,” currently touring film festivals across the nation.
“Coming Through the Rye” follows Alex Wolff as Jamie Swartz, a teenage prep school student, who is searching for the reclusive author, Chris Cooper as JD Salinger, in order to receive his permission to adapt his book “Catcher in the Rye” into a stage play.
Donnell joins in the action as a harried iconic Dust Bowl woman looking to protect the author’s privacy from the eyes of the prying teenager and his girlfriend Deedee (Stefania Owens).
Donnell was thrilled with the opportunity to be a part of this period feature. “I want to thank casting director Erica Arvold for bringing me in to audition and James Sadwith, the screenwriter and director, for casting me,” she said. “It was so inspiring to work alongside a director, cast and crew who brought such passion and love to their storytelling. I was immediately made to feel valued and at home on set and I was bowled over by the transparency and generosity of the young teens and children who created the magic in the scene we shared together.”
Since filming, Donnell has spent time in New York honing her acting and dance skills and has recently performed a clown show she wrote for the Ruby Slipper Fringe Festival in Winston Salem, N.C.
In addition, Donnell has been wearing her directing hat and has just returned from the New York premiere of the play she directed, “Little Bird in the Night,” a one woman show written and performed by Suzy McCalley.
Up next, Donnell is putting pen to paper to write and produce a short film in celebration of William Shakespeare’s 400th birthday year and is continuing her association with “Faerie Path Productions” where she has accepted the role of Queen Isadora in the fantasy series “Other World.”
Originally from Chicago, Ill., Donnell is the daughter of a vaudeville song and dance man and an actress mother. Receiving her early training in ballet, she came to acting as an adult studying with teachers from Wake Forest University and The University of North Carolina School of the Arts as well as in private studios. This led her to local stage appearances and on camera Indie projects including the festival award winning short, “September.”
Donnell is represented by Stewart Talent of Atlanta, Ga.
