Second Reading Of I LOVED LUCY Staged 10/27

Lucy fans get ready. The new play I Loved Lucy by Lee Tannen has been adapted by the author from his best-selling memoir of the same name for a special (invitation only) second NYC staged reading on Tuesday, October 27th. Directed by Sheryl Kaller, the new play features Obie Award-winner Mary Beth Peil ("The Good Wife") as the zany iconic comedienne, Lucille Ball, and Michael Therriault (The Tin Pan Alley Rag) as author Lee Tannen.

I Loved Lucy tells the story of the intimate relationship between Lucy and Lee (who was distantly related to Lucy) during the last decade of her life, a period which has come to be known as the "lost Lucy years," time spent mainly at home out of the television spotlight and around a backgammon table. It's a candid, funny and poignant look at arguably the most recognizable face on the planet told by a man forty years her junior who became her best pal and closest confidante at the end of her life.

Mary Beth Peil (Lucy), currently co-stars in the CBS series "The Good Wife," and was recently seen on Broadway in the acclaimed revival of Sunday In The ParkWith George. Other Broadway credits include Nin e(Outer Critics nomination) and The King And I (Tony nomination). An Obie Award winner, her Off-Broadway credits include The Room, Frame 312, Missing Persons (Atlantic Theatre); Hedda Gabler (NYTW); First Lady Suite (The Transport Group); As 1000's Cheer (Drama Dept); Cheever Evening, Later Life ( Playwrights Horizon); Sylvia(MTC); and, Finding The Sun (Signature). Regional credits include Third Story (La Jolla Playhouse); 33 Variations (Helen Hayes Nomination); A Month In The Country (Arena Stage); M Proust(Joseph Jefferson nomination/About Face); The Cocktail Hour ( Long Wharf); Things You Least Expect

(George Street Playhouse); Madagascar, Wit (Adirondack Theatre); Lucky Duck (Old Globe); Sweeney Todd(Kennedy Center); Hay Fever, Triumph of Love(Yale Rep); The Naked Eye(ART); Hamlet (Huntington); as well Baltimore Centre Stage, Williamstown, Papermill Playhouse and Actors Theater Louisville. TV: Grams in "Dawsons Creek," "The Reagans," "Law &Order: SVU," and "The Job." Film: Mirrors, Flags of Our Fathers, Stepford Wives, Odd Couple 2, Reckless,and The List. She is a member of the Atlantic Theatre Company.

Michael Therriault (Lee). New York credits include Irving Berlin in The Tin Pan Alley Rag (Roundabout) and Motel in Fiddler on The Roof. West-End/Toronto: Gollum in The Lord of the Rings (Dora Award); Leo in The Producers (Dora Award); over twenty productions with the Stratford Festival including Twelfth Night (Aguecheek); The Tempest (Ariel); and The Henry VI series (Henry VI). Film/TV; Prairie Giant: The Tommy Douglas Story (Gemini Nomination), and The Englishman's Boy.

Lee Tannen (Playwright) has written the libretto for the national tour of Dr. Dolittle, starring and directed by Tommy Tune, as well as wrote the book for and co-directed Paparazzi with Tommy Tune for Holland America Lines. He has also written the libretto for Miss Spectacular, a new musical by Jerry Herman, and was one of the featured writers for The Audience, produced by the Transport Group (Drama Desk nomination). In addition, Lee has written scores of commercials for Broadway shows and Radio City Music Hall.

Sheryl Kaller (Director) most recently directed the acclaimed Naked Angels production of Next Fall, by Geoffrey Nauffts that transfers to Broadway in the Spring, and Dangerous Beauty, music by Michele Brourman, lyrics by Amanda McBroom, and book by Jeannine Dominy (A.M.T.P.). Other credits include Adrift In Macao, music by Peter Melnick, book and lyrics by Christopher Durang (Primary Stages and Philadelphia Theater Company); Jayson With a Y by Darci Picoult (The New Group); The Pursuit Of Happiness by Richard Dresser (Hudson Stage Company); The Molly Maguires, music and lyrics by Sid Cherry, book by Bill Strzempeck (Berry Center for the Performing Arts); and God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, music by Alan Menken, book and lyrics by Howard Ashman (The York Theater). Ms. Kaller has also directed at New York Stage and Film, A.C.T., The Rubicon, E.S.T., National Theater of the Deaf, and Man in the Moon (London). She was a member of the former Circle Rep Lab and the recipient of a Dramalogue Award for Best New Musical. She co- founded and was the Artistic Director of Two Island Productions, a New York and Bermuda-based theater company devoted to developing and producing original plays, playwright retreats/workshops, screenplays, concerts and youth arts and education programs. Upcoming: The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz, music by Alan Menken, book and lyrics by David Spencer.

Photo credit Walter McBride