M*A*S*H's Mike Farrell to Join ON GOLDEN POND at Alhambra Next Month

Known to two generations of M*A*S*H fans as Captain B.J. Hunnicutt, Mike Farrell will move from operating theater to live theater when he takes the starring role in the Alhambra Theatre & Dining's production of On Golden Pond. Opening April 1 for just four weeks, Farrell will join other M*A*S*H legends Gary Burghoff, Jamie Farr and Loretta Switt among Alhambra's prominent list of guest stars.

Michael Joseph Farrell was born on February 6, 1939 in St. Paul, Minnesota. A childhood move to Hollywood where his father's work as a studio carpenter provided Mike's first glimpse of the world behind the studio walls began his fascination with the "movies," one he has never lost.

After graduating from Hollywood High and a hitch in the Marines, he worked a number of jobs - including a stint as private investigator - while pursuing a career as an actor, beginning with small parts in films like "The Graduate" and "The Americanization of Emily". Stage roles and small parts on TV eventually landed him in the soap "Days of Our Lives", where he starred as Scott Banning for two years. "Days" was followed by leading roles in two series, "The Interns" and "The Man and The City," then a four-year contract with Universal Pictures.

Mike is best known for playing Captain B.J. Hunnicutt in the popular series M*A*S*H. His eight years with the memorable show allowed the opportunity to both write and direct several episodes, earning him nominations for Director's Guild and Emmy Awards.

His first production experience outside of "M*A*S*H" was the CBS-TV film "Memorial Day", in which he starred opposite Shelley Fabares (ABC's "Coach"), whom he later married.

Mike has also been involved in several documentaries, including co-hosted "Saving the Wildlife" for PBS, hosting "The Best of the National Geographic Specials" and had a great adventure scuba diving with his children, Michael and Erin, among hundreds of sharks in French Polynesia for "The World of Audubon".

Together with partner Marvin Minoff he formed 'Farrell/Minoff productions'. Farrell/Minoff's first production was "Dominick and Eugene", a film starring Tom Hulce and Ray Liotta. After making a number of TV movies, one of their more recent productions is "Patch Adams", starring Robin Williams.

In 1996 Mike was presented the Valentine Davies Award by the Writers Guild of America, given to members: "whose contribution to the entertainment industry and the community-at-large have brought dignity and honor to writers everywhere."

In February 1998 Farrell was appointed to a three-year term on the Commission on Judicial Performance, an 11 member California State Commission that adjudicates complaints against judges in the state. In 2004 he received the Donald Wright Award from California Attorneys for Criminal Justice, only the third time in its 28-year history that the award has been presented to a recipient who was neither a lawyer nor a judge.

In 2002 Mike was elected First Vice President of the Screen Actors Guild in Los Angeles and served three years in that capacity. In his spare time Mike loves to read, spend time with his wife and kids and enjoys cross-country motorcycling. His bike trips have crisscrossed, amongst others, the US, Canada, Australia and Europe.

On Golden Pond is a classic American comedy/drama that's every bit as touching, warm, and witty today as when it debuted on Broadway in 1979. Retired couple Ethel and Norman Thayer spend every summer at their home on Golden Pond. This year, their adult daughter visits, bringing along her 13-year-old son. The turbulent relationship between father and daughter, the generation gap between young and old, and the difficulties facing a couple in the twilight years of a long marriage, all combine in a play that gives us unique insight into the modern family life.

The play was adapted for the screen written by Thompson and was released in December 1981, directed by Mark Rydell & produced by Bruce Gilbert with Henry Fonda, Katharine Hepburn and Jane Fonda in the starring cast. In 2001, CBS aired a live television adaptation of the play that was heavily publicized in the press due to the reunion of former Sound of Music stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer in the lead roles. It also starred Glenne Headly.

The stage version received a seven Drama Desk Awards, including a win for Best New Play as well as a Tony Award for Best Actor (Sternhagen). In 2005 the play received the Tony Award for Best Revival.

"This is a quintessential American play," said Alhambra Managing Partner, Craig Smith. He added, "Mike adds a unique brand of talent to the lead role and brings with him a depth and passion for the character that will truly inspire our audience. I love this show, I loved the movie and I am confident our guests will be enthralled with it."

The Alhambra Theatre is the nation's longest continually operating professional dinner theatre and the only professional resident theatre between Atlanta and Miami. Opened in 1967, The Alhambra has hosted legends such as Tony Curtis, Claude Aiken, Sid Cesar and Cesar Romero, and, recently, Loretta Swit, Barry Williams, Jamie Farr, Sally Struthers, Joyce DeWitt, Michael Learned and Barbara Eden. The Alhambra was the place of Betty Grable's final acting role. The Alhambra is also home to former Miss America, Orange Park native Leanza Cornett who started at the Alhambra when she was 15. In November 2009, the Alhambra was purchased by Theatre Partners, LLC, headed by Jacksonville entrepreneur and Alhambra patron, Craig Smith as way to give back to Jacksonville and preserve what he believes is one of its cultural jewels.

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