David Grindley News

Whether the title of Richard Greenberg's bitterly comic 1990 drama brings to mind a hotel package with all meals included or a corporate union-busting practice, it can be argued that both interpretations refer to methods of maximizing gain while minimizing responsibility. And while both definitions play supporting roles in The American Plan, a third variation on the theme - marry well, be an excellent spouse and secretly carry on with your less-than-affluent lover - takes center stage.

Stage and screen actress Lily Rabe talks about her life and her current role oppposite Mercedes Ruehl in The AMERICAN PLAN

Today's Broadway Blogs on BroadwayWorld.com from Wednesday, January 28, 2009.

The New York Times is reporting that The Roundabout Theater Company has announced two more productions for its 2009-10 season. Roundabout will offer the first Broadway production of 'Bye Bye Birdie' since its original production in 1960. There have been rumors for the last sevral years that the compnay would mount a revival and the rumblings were heating up for the past few weeks, Robert Longbottom ('Flower Drum Song') is the director and choreographer for the new production. Also reported was the news that the Roundabout will revive Noel Coward's 'Present Laughter,' with Victor Garber as the put-upon matinee idol Garry Essendine. Nicholas Martin, who directed the comedy for the Huntington Theater Company in 2007, which also starred Mr. Garber, will direct the new revival.

Manhattan Theatre Club presents the Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN which is directed by Tony nominee David Grindley (Journey's End). Lily Rabe and Mercedes Ruehl are joined by Benjamin Eakeley (Sweeney Todd), Austin Lysy (A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delacorte), and Brenda Pressley (The First Breeze of Summer). BroadwayWorld and Broadway Beat were there to capture all the excitement od Opening Night!

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is pleased to announce the following production as part of their 2009-2010 season, Patrick Marber's After Miss Julie starring Sienna Miller. Directed by Mark Brokaw, After Miss Julie will star Sienna Miller in the fall of 2009. Roundabout in association with Sonia Friedman Productions and Ostar Productions present the American premiere of playwright Patrick Marber's drama After Miss Julie. The play transposes August Strindberg's 1888 play about sex and class to an English country house on the eve of Labour's historic landslide in 1945. Sienna Miller will be making her Broadway debut as 'Miss Julie.'

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) presents the Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN which is directed by Tony nominee David Grindley (Journey's End). Lily Rabe and Mercedes Ruehl are joined by Benjamin Eakeley (Sweeney Todd), Austin Lysy (A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delacorte), and Brenda Pressley (The First Breeze of Summer). The limited engagement of THE AMERICAN PLAN began previews Friday, January 2, 2009 and opened last night, Thursday, January 22, 2009 at MTC's Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). BroadwayWorld followed the stars to the festive opening night after party to join in on all the fun! The Broadway production of THE AMERICAN PLAN marks MTC's eighth collaboration with Richard Greenberg; a relationship that includes the original New York production of THE AMERICAN PLAN which premiered in 1990 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage II and then transferred to Stage I. Other MTC productions of Greenberg plays include: Eastern Standard, The Extra Man, Jenny Keeps Talking, Night and Her Stars, the Pulitzer Prize nominated Three Days of Rain, and The Violet Hour.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) presents the Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN which is directed by Tony nominee David Grindley (Journey's End). Lily Rabe and Mercedes Ruehl are joined by Benjamin Eakeley (Sweeney Todd), Austin Lysy (A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delacorte), and Brenda Pressley (The First Breeze of Summer). The limited engagement of THE AMERICAN PLAN began previews Friday, January 2, 2009 and opened last night, Thursday, January 22, 2009 at MTC's Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). BroadwayWorld's cameras were there to capture the star-studded arrivals! The Broadway production of THE AMERICAN PLAN marks MTC's eighth collaboration with Richard Greenberg; a relationship that includes the original New York production of THE AMERICAN PLAN which premiered in 1990 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage II and then transferred to Stage I. Other MTC productions of Greenberg plays include: Eastern Standard, The Extra Man, Jenny Keeps Talking, Night and Her Stars, the Pulitzer Prize nominated Three Days of Rain, and The Violet Hour.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) presents the Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN which is directed by Tony nominee David Grindley (Journey's End). Lily Rabe and Mercedes Ruehl are joined by Benjamin Eakeley (Sweeney Todd), Austin Lysy (A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delacorte), and Brenda Pressley (The First Breeze of Summer). The limited engagement of THE AMERICAN PLAN began previews Friday, January 2, 2009 and opened last night, Thursday, January 22, 2009 at MTC's Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). BroadwayWorld's cameras were there to capture every moment of the starry celebration! It is the Catskill Mountains in the early 1960s, and Lili Adler (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominee Lily Rabe) and her mother Eva (Tony and Academy Award winner Mercedes Ruehl) are spending the summer across the lake from a bustling hotel where comics entertain and buffets overflow. When a handsome young stranger (Benjamin Eakeley) enters their world, the emotionally fragile Lili finds herself falling in love. But once her imperious mother learns of their relationship, lies are exposed, alliances are forged and Lili's one chance to escape her mother's control may be lost forever.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) presents the Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN which is directed by Tony nominee David Grindley (Journey's End). Lily Rabe and Mercedes Ruehl are joined by Benjamin Eakeley (Sweeney Todd), Austin Lysy (A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delacorte), and Brenda Pressley (The First Breeze of Summer). The limited engagement of THE AMERICAN PLAN began previews Friday, January 2, 2009 and opens tonight, Thursday, January 22, 2009 at MTC's Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). It is the Catskill Mountains in the early 1960s, and Lili Adler (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominee Lily Rabe) and her mother Eva (Tony and Academy Award winner Mercedes Ruehl) are spending the summer across the lake from a bustling hotel where comics entertain and buffets overflow. When a handsome young stranger (Benjamin Eakeley) enters their world, the emotionally fragile Lili finds herself falling in love. But once her imperious mother learns of their relationship, lies are exposed, alliances are forged and Lili's one chance to escape her mother's control may be lost forever.

Tomorrow, January 21, tickets will go on sale exclusively to American Express Card members for Roundabout Theatre Company's upcoming Broadway production of Waiting for Godot. Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents (in order of speaking) Nathan Lane (Estragon), Bill Irwin (Vladimir), John Goodman (Pozzo), David Strathairn (Lucky) and in a new Broadway production of Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett and directed by Tony? award winner Anthony Page. Waiting for Godot will begin Friday, April 3rd, 2009 and open officially on Thursday, April 30th, 2009 at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street). This will be a limited engagement. TICKET INFORMATION: Starting tomorrow, January 21, tickets will be available exclusively to American Express Card members online at www.roundabouttheatre.org, by phone at (212) 719-1300, or at the Studio 54 theatre box office (254 West 54th Street). Public on-sale begins Friday, February 6. Ticket prices range from $36.50 to $116.50. Through ACCESS Roundabout, 100 tickets will be available for the first preview performance (April 3rd) for only $10 each. The Waiting for Godot cast will also include Matthew Schechter (Boy). The design team includes Santo Loquasto (Sets), Jane Greenwood (Costumes) and Peter Kaczorowski (Lights).

Tomorrow, January 21, tickets will go on sale exclusively to American Express Card members for Roundabout Theatre Company's upcoming Broadway production of Waiting for Godot. Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents (in order of speaking) Nathan Lane (Estragon), Bill Irwin (Vladimir), John Goodman (Pozzo), David Strathairn (Lucky) and in a new Broadway production of Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett and directed by Tony? award winner Anthony Page. Waiting for Godot will begin Friday, April 3rd, 2009 and open officially on Thursday, April 30th, 2009 at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street). This will be a limited engagement. TICKET INFORMATION: Starting tomorrow, January 21, tickets will be available exclusively to American Express Card members online at www.roundabouttheatre.org, by phone at (212) 719-1300, or at the Studio 54 theatre box office (254 West 54th Street). Public on-sale begins Friday, February 6. Ticket prices range from $36.50 to $116.50. Through ACCESS Roundabout, 100 tickets will be available for the first preview performance (April 3rd) for only $10 each. The Waiting for Godot cast will also include Matthew Schechter (Boy). The design team includes Santo Loquasto (Sets), Jane Greenwood (Costumes) and Peter Kaczorowski (Lights).

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents (in order of speaking) Nathan Lane (Estragon), Bill Irwin (Vladimir), John Goodman (Pozzo), David Strathairn (Lucky) and in a new Broadway production of Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett and directed by Tony? award winner Anthony Page. Waiting for Godot will now begin previews one week earlier on Friday, April 3rd, 2009 and open officially on Thursday, April 30th, 2009 at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th Street). This will be a limited engagement. The cast will also include Matthew Schechter (Boy). The design team includes Santo Loquasto (Sets), Jane Greenwood (Costumes) and Peter Kaczorowski (Lights).

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) presents the Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN which is directed by Tony nominee David Grindley (Journey's End). Lily Rabe and Mercedes Ruehl are joined by Benjamin Eakeley (Sweeney Todd), Austin Lysy (A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delacorte), and Brenda Pressley (The First Breeze of Summer).

Roundabout Theatre Company's (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) presents a once-in-a-lifetime gala concert reading of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's enchanting, Tony Award-winning masterpiece A Little Night Music tonight Monday, January 12th, 2009 at 7:30PM at Studio 54 (254 West 54th St.)

The Stratford Shakespeare Festival 2009 season ? a playbill reflecting the Festival's commitment to producing the works of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries, along with other classical theatre repertoire and the work of living playwrights is now offering tickets to the public.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is continuing to enhance the experience of Roundabout's subscribers with the launch of MYROUNDABOUT.org on January 7, 2009.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director), is pleased to announce a two-week extension of PAL JOEY starring Stockard Channing (Vera Simpson), Matthew Risch (Joey Evans) and Martha Plimpton (Gladys Bumps), now through March 1st, 2009.

Jill Paice will replace the previously announced Laura Benanti in the role of Anne Egerman in the Roundabout Theatre Company's gala benefit concert reading of A Little Night Music. Laura Benanti, has withdrawn under a doctor's orders because of a serious throat infection. Benanti is currently starring as Louise/Gypsy in the revival of Gypsy. She is expected to continue to perform in her Tony winning role in Gypsy which closes on Sunday January 11th, but the added rehearsals and peformance of 'Night Music' was considered too much in regards to her throat ailment.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director) is proud to announce Tony® award winner Michael Cerveris (Jorgen Tesman) & Paul Sparks (Ejlert Lovborg) will join previously announced Tony® award winner Mary-Louise Parker (Hedda Gabler) in a new Broadway production of Hedda Gabler by Henrik Ibsen. The production features a new adaptation by Christopher Shinn and will be directed by Ian Rickson. Hedda Gabler will begin previews on Tuesday, January 6th, 2009 and open officially on Sunday, January 25th, 2009 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This will be a limited engagement.