Amy Brenneman to Star in Williamstown's A Nervous Smile

The Williamstown Theatre Festival has announced that celebrated television actress Amy Brenneman will play the role of Eileen in A Nervous Smile, written by John Belluso and directed by Maria Mileaf. The show plays July 26 to August 6 on the Nikos Stage.

While attending Harvard University, Brenneman teamed with others to form the Cornerstone Theatre Company which customized the classics and performed them with local performers in mostly rural towns. Additional appearances Off-Off Broadway and Off-Broadway followed. On television, she was an original cast member of "NYPD Blue" for which she received two Emmy nominations for her role as Janice Licalsi. She had a recurring role on Frasier playing Faye Moscowitz. Last year, she concluded her six year run as star, producer and co-creator of "Judging Amy," receiving three Emmy nominations playing Judge Amy Gray.

At Williamstown, Brenneman joins a cast that includes Scott Cohen (Film: Kissing Jessica Stein, TV: "NYPD Blue," "Law & Order: Trial by Jury," "Gilmore Girls," Broadway: upcoming Losing Louie) as Brian, Gloria Reuben (TV: "ER") as Nic(ole) and Deirdre O'Connell (Film: Smoke and City of Angels) as Blanka.

A Nervous Smile was written by John Belluso. Belluso was confined to a wheelchair, and many of his plays feature a disabled character . He died earlier this year at age 36.

"Filled with unlikely humor, this intense and remarkable play addresses the strain on families of caring for severely challenged children. Drawn from a real-life incident, the play invites us to think about the unthinkable," state press notes. This is the play's second production. It premiered at The Humana Festival in 2005.

The show plays July 26 to August 6 on the Nikos stage. Performances are Tuesdays through Fridays at 8:00 , Saturdays at 8:30, with matinees Thursdays at 3:00, Saturdays at 4:00 , and Sundays at 2:00. Tickets are available by phone at 413.597.3400, at the Festival Box Office and at wtfestival.org.

Williamstown Theatre Festival performances are held at The '62 Center for Theatre and Dance of Williams College
in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Visit www.wtfestival.org for more information.