Butley, with Lane, to Open as Originally Planned on 10/25

According to Variety, Butley--starring Nathan Lane--will now open at the Booth Theatre (222 W. 45th St.) on its originally scheduled date of October 25th.

Last month, producers of the Simon Gray comedy announced that Butley would open one day late on October 26th.  However, the industry magazine states that "a minor scheduling snafu" has been caused by the opening of Twyla Tharp and Bob Dylan's The Times They Are A-Changin' at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on October 26th, and so Butley will now open as originally scheduled.

Directed by Nicholas Martin, the limited run will begin previews on October 5th. Elizabeth I. McCann et al present the Huntington Theatre Company's production of the play.  Martin (Hedda Gabler) is that theatre's artistic director.

Lane starred in a critically acclaimed production of Butley at The Huntington in 2003, also directed by Nicholas Martin. The design team is: Alexander Dodge (set), Ann Roth (costumes), David Weiner (lighting) and John Gromada (sound).

"Butley is a dark comedy about a literary professor who loses his wife and lover in the same day," according to press notes. It was mounted on Broadway in 1972 and also made into a film, both starring Alan Bates.

Nathan Lane--currently on Broadway in The Odd Couple--is the winner of two Tony Awards, for his performances in The Producers and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He also starred on Broadway in Guys and Dolls, Love! Valour! Compassion! , The Frogs, and Laughter on the 23rd Floor. The movie musical version of The Producers and The Bird Cage are among his film credits.

Simon Gray's plays include Otherwise Engaged, The Common Pursuit, Quartermaine?s Terms, The Holy Terror and Wise Child.

Additional casting will be announced.