Burton, Kaczmarek, and Barron Star In 'Blue Leaves' At Taper Forum

 Casting is complete for the revival of John Guare's modern American classic comedy, "The House of Blue Leaves," which will open the new Mark Taper Forum after its year-long renovation.  Directed by Nicholas Martin, "The House of Blue Leaves" begins previews August 30, opens September 14 and continues through October 19, 2008.

The cast features (in alphabetical order) Diedrich Bader, Mia Barron, Kate Burton, Angela Goethals, James B. Harnagel, James Immekus, Jane Kaczmarek, James Joseph O'Neil, John Pankow, Rusty Schwimmer and Mary Kay Wulf.

 "The House of Blue Leaves" will feature set design by David Korins, costume design by Gabriel Berry, lighting design by Donald Holder and sound design by Philip G. Allen.  Music and lyrics are by John Guare with additional music and arrangements by Michael Friedman. Casting is by Erika Sellin and the production stage manager is James T. McDermott.

In "The House of Blue Leaves," the Pope's 1965 visit to New York City brings the hope of answered prayers and a few unexpected guests to an apartment in Sunnyside, Queens, where Artie Shaughnessy, a zookeeper, pines for a new life as a popular songwriter.  His dreams of stardom are complicated by a stay-at-home wife who longs for the happiness of their salad days, a pushy mistress who is already packing her bags for Hollywood and an AWOL son with his own plans for becoming famous.  Called "enchantingly zany and original" by the New York Times, "The House of Blue Leaves" is a heartbreakingly human comedy that explores the lengths people will go in pursuit of the American Dream.

Tickets for "The House of Blue Leaves" are available by calling (213) 628-2772 or online at www.CenterTheatreGroup.org. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Music Center. Hot Tix may be purchased at $20 each in advance or, subject to availability, on the day of performance at the box office. For groups of 15 or more, call (213) 972-7231.

Photo Credit Peter James Zielinski

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