Legacy Stage Ensemble's THE GRAY LIST to Open at American Theatre of Actors, 4/17

Once-celebrated screenwriter John Brooks is told Hollywood wants something "more relevant." What they mean is... he's too old! Through the story of the fade-out of this film scribe and his circle of friends, THE GRAY LIST explores Hollywood with close-ups on ageism, racism, and homophobia. John finally - in a last desperate attempt to keep his feet planted firmly on the red carpet - makes a Faustian deal with the devil to keep on top - a devil named Eddie. John's reinvention of himself to compete with the younger crowd may be his greatest character yet... even if that character does talk back.

The cast features Thomas J. Kane, Vincent Iannuzzi, Kitty Hendrix, Marilyn Duryea, and Alan Charney. *Ms. Duryea & Ms. Hendrix appear courtesy of Actors Equity Association

Originally from Boston, Allan Provost is a Miami copywriter who has created award-winning campaigns for such national clients as Leona Helmsley's hotels and Carnival Cruise Lines ("We've Got the Fun"). While his first love was always theater, he did not pursue that avenue until later in life when he began to write plays and the book and lyrics for musicals. Several of his short plays have been included in local festivals and in October of 2008 his full-length musical The Accidental President was presented by the Manhattan Beach Community Church Theater. In Miami, he founded Miami's Footstool Players, a popular living-room- theater event in which the guests perform in one-act comedies. His lyrics for jingles and sales films have been sung by Kathie Lee Gifford, Andrea McArdle and - before they were famous - the Backstreet Boys. His songs have also been featured in Ms. McArdle's PBS special and her Atlantic City Christmas show. While Allan has written many short stories, poems, essays, straight plays and one teen novel (Mermaids and Magic Words - Avalon 1989), The Gray List remains his favorite work and he is intensely grateful to the American Theatre for Actors for this production.

Legacy Stage Ensemble opens its second season with this play. Legacy Stage Ensemble is dedicated to bridging the artistic and cultural gap between the experiences, training, and concerns of different generations. Its productions, both original and revival, tackle topics about personal crisis and social bias.

Director and Legacy's executive producer, Laurie Rae Waugh, has been part of the theatrical community for almost a quarter of a century. She won the Jean Dalrymple Award in 2011 for the play, Code Name Daniel. As a stage manager, her credits are numerous, topped by the Broadway Cares July 4, 1987 performance benefiting STAMP OUT AIDS dedicated to Michael Bennett.

Legacy's associate producer and featured performer, Kitty Hendrix, has created more than 30 roles on stage, in film, and on television. Recent appearances include 666 Park Avenue (ABC) and Unforgettable (CBS). She last appeared as co-star in The Acting Lesson, Legacy Stage's inaugural production on October. She is an audio book producer/narrator who's next book, Close Obsession by Anna Zaires, will be available through Amazon.com and iTunes in August.

Dramaturg Jessica Jennings carries on the family name and business started by her father, entrepreneur and founder of the American Theatre of Actors, James Jennings. The ATA, an institution in the off and off-off Broadway community, was founded in 1976 by Mr. Jennings. Over 900 new works have been presented and more than 10,000 actors have worked at the ATA, including Dennis Quaid, Bruce Willis, Danny Aiello, Chazz Palminteri, Kevin O'Connor, Kevin Spacey, and Edie Falco.

THE GRAY LIST by Allan Provost, directed by Laurie Rae Waugh, will run April 17 - 28, 2013 at American Theatre of Actors' Sargent Theatre, 314 West 54th Street, NYC. Schedule: April 17 - 20 @ 8:00 p.m.; April 20 @ 2:00 p.m.; April 21 @ 3:00 p.m.; April 23 - 27@ 8:00 p.m.; April 28 @ 3:00 p.m. Purchase tickets online at www.Smarttix.com or call (212) 868-4444. General Admission: $18.00; Students/Seniors $15.00. For more information, visit www.legacystageensemble.org.

Photo Credit: A. G. Liebowitz/WrightgroupNY

To post a comment, you must register and login.