Anderson, Kanouse, Smith & Wehle Join Merkerson in 'Sheba'

Manhttan Theatre Club is pleased to announce that Drama Desk Award winner Kevin Anderson (Death of a Salesman), Lyle Kanouse (Big River), Zoe Kazan (The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie), Brian J. Smith (Fabulous Life of Size Zero), Brenda Wehle (Pygmalion), and Matthew J. Williamson ("Boston Legal") will star in the upcoming Broadway production of William Inge's Come Back, Little Sheba at the Biltmore Theatre.

They will join previously announced Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner and Tony Award nominee S. Epatha Merkerson. The production will be directed by Michael Pressman ("Law and Order," To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday).

The production will begin previews at MTC's Biltmore Theatre (261 West 47th Street) on Thursday, January 3 and will open on Thursday, January 24.

"Lola (Merkerson) is a faded beauty queen trapped in a lonely marriage to Doc (Anderson), a recovering alcoholic on the brink of relapse. When a pretty young woman (Kazan) becomes a boarder in their cluttered Midwest home, their lives are unsettled as unspoken passions rise to the surface. As the emptiness of their marriage is laid bare, can they find their way back to each other or will they be undone?  This new look at William Inge's great American story is an absorbing tale of lost hopes and unfulfilled promise, told with unflinching honesty and heartbreaking power," explain press notes.

The design team for the production will include: James Noone (scenic design), Jennifer Von Mayrhauser (costume design), Jane Cox (lighting design), Obadiah Eaves (sound design), Peter Golub (original music), J. David Brimmer (fight director), and David Caparelliotis (casting).

Tickets to Come Back, Little Sheba are available by calling Telecharge.com at 212-239-6200, (800) 432-7250 outside the NY metro area, online at Telecharge.com, and at the Biltmore Theatre box office (261 West 47th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Tickets range in price from $46.50-91.50.  Student rush tickets are available the day of the performance at the Biltmore Theatre box office for $26.50.

Performance schedule:
Starting Thursday, January 3:  Tuesday - Saturday at 8 PM. Sunday at 2 PM and 7 PM.
Starting Tuesday, January 8 – Sunday, January 20: Tuesday – Saturday at 8 PM. Sunday at 7 PM. Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM.
Starting Tuesday, January 22 – Sunday, March 16: Tuesday – Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2 PM.

For more information, ticket details and how to subscribe please visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

Photo of S. Epatha Merkerson by Jason O'dell