Joe Mantegna Stars as Dalton Trumbo in L.A., Oct. 19-Nov. 13

By: Oct. 03, 2005
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Tony Award-winning film and theatre star Joe Mantegno will take on the title role of the blacklisted screenwriter in Trumbo at Los Angeles' Falcon Theatre. It will run from October 19th through November 13th, with the show's opening night set for October 28th.

Directed by Peter Askin (The Good Body, Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and written by Christopher Trumbo, the show is "an homage to the playwright's legendary screenwriter father, Dalton Trumbo (Spartacus, Roman Holiday, Exodus).  In 1947, (he) stood up to the House Un-American Activities Committee and was thrown into prison as one of the infamous 'Hollywood Ten.' From his luminous and amusing letters to family, friends and enemies, emerges the story of a family's survival and one stubborn artist's quest to break the blacklist," states the company's website. Trumbo based the play on his father's letters.

Also helmed by Askin, Trumbo had a successful off-Broadway run, serving as a vehicle for a number of high-profile actors. Trumbo played the Westside Theatre from September 4th, 2003 through January 18th, 2004. Nathan Lane originated the role of the persecuted scribe, with F. Murray Abraham, Chris Cooper, Brian Dennehy, Charles Durning, Roger Rees and even fellow writer Gore Vidal as some of the performers who succeeded him in the role. Trumbo is a one-man show in essence, but also features an actor serving as Narrator/Voice of Christopher Trumbo.

Mantegna received a Tony Award in 1984 for his performance in the original production of Glengarry Glen Ross. He also appeared on Broadway in Speed-the-Plow (another Mamet play), and made his Broadway debut in the musical Working. He was also one of the writers of off-Broadway's Bleacher Bums. A noted screen and television actor, he received Emmy nominations for his work in "The Last Don" and "The Rat Pack," and his film credits include Liberty Heights, Celebrity, Above Suspicion, Body of Evidence, Bugsy and The Godfather: Part III.

Barbra's Wedding, penned by Daniel Stern, stars Stern and Crystal Bernard. It runs though October 10th at the theatre, which was founded by director, producer and writer Garry Marshall and headed by his daughter Kathleen (not to be produced with the Broadway director-choreographer of the same name).

The Falcon Theatre is located at 4252 Riverside Drive in Burbank, CA. For tickets, call (818) 955-8101. For more information, visit www.falcontheatre.com.

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