Laurie Metcalf News

Tickets go on sale on Friday, August 7 for THE NEIL SIMON PLAYS, new productions of BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and BROADWAY BOUND. Specially priced preview tickets for $50-$35 (not including Saturday evening performances) will be available for both plays if ordered by September 6. Regular priced tickets are $100-$65. Tickets will be available at www.Ticketmaster.com.

With Matthew Modine playing a role he is unequivocally perfect for (a fictionalized version of himself), one can imagine the casting challenge for the rest of the characters in the Geffen Playhouse's upcoming production of Matthew Modine Saves the Alpacas. But - barring having identical names to the characters they play - the Geffen Playhouse's cast includes a troupe of comedians befitting their satirical roles.

Big Signature Productions will present Arthur Schnitzler's La Ronde, translated by Carl R. Mueller, as part of the 2009 New York International Fringe Festival/Fringe NYC this August. The production is directed by Larry Biederman with Lighting Design by John Eckert & Sound Design by John Zalweski. Featured in the AEA Showcase Production are Ken Barnett* & Alyson Weaver*.

Producers Emanuel Azenberg and Ira Pittelman are pleased to announce that THE NEIL SIMON PLAYS, new productions of Neil Simon's BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and BROADWAY BOUND, will play Broadway's beautifully restored Nederlander Theatre (208 West 41st Street). The productions will be directed by David Cromer (Our Town).

Producers Emanuel Azenberg and Ira Pittelman are pleased to announce casting for THE NEIL SIMON PLAYS - new productions of two of Neil Simon's most beloved and successful works, BRIGHTON BEACH MEMOIRS and BROADWAY BOUND. David Cromer (currently represented in New York with the critically acclaimed production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town) directs THE NEIL SIMON PLAYS, which will be performed in repertory at a theatre to be announced.

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director), in association with Jonathan Reinis, Jamie Cesa, Eva Price & Berkeley Repertory Theatre, is proud to present the Broadway premiere production of Wishful Drinking, created and performed by Carrie Fisher and directed by Tony Taccone at Studio 54 on Broadway (254 West 54th St).

The New York Times is reporting that Laurie Metcalf, who won three Emmys on ABC's 'Roseanne' and most recently appeared on Broadway in David Mamet's 'November,' has signed on to star as the matriarch Kate Jerome in the upcoming Broadway revivals of Neil Simon's autobiographical plays 'Brighton Beach Memoirs' and 'Broadway Bound,' the producer Emanuel Azenberg announced Wednesday.

Here are the Nominations for Outstanding Awards from the San Francisco Bay Theatre Area Critics Circle. Winners will from each catagory will be announced in approximately two weeks. A Gala Cocktail party will be held for the winners in each catagory at A.C.T. Columbia Room on May 4th. AEA Members are noted in * For 'Entire Production' and 'Best Ensemble' AEA Theatres are * THEATRES OVER 300 DRAMA

Steppenwolf Theatre Company announced today its newest ensemble member: William Petersen. The Steppenwolf ensemble, the longest-existing theater ensemble in the United States, now totals 42 members.

We wanted to bring your attention to this year's Broadway Cares / Equity Fights AIDS Holiday Catalog and web site.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announces that Jane Anderson's The Quality of Life has received three LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards for its world premiere production at the Geffen Playhouse, including the award for Best Play in an Intimate Theater.

On September 22nd, the 2008 Ovation Award Nominees were announced. Now in its 19th year, the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards will celebrate the 168 theatre companies, 390 registered productions, and over 2,000 individual artists who participated in the September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2008 season. The 2008 Ovation Awards took place on November 17th, 2008 in The Fine Arts Complex in Los Angeles, CA.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) added two performances to the run of The Quality of Life, written and directed by acclaimed playwright Jane Anderson, following overwhelming audience response.

The Quality of Life opens at A.C.T tonight, October 29th, 2008 where it will play November 23, 2008. Performances began October 24th, 2008. Tickets-starting at $14-are available by calling A.C.T. Ticket Services at 415.749.2228, or at www.act-sf.org.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announced today that Laurie Metcalf will be performing the role of Jeannette for the full run of its production of The Quality of Life, written and directed by Jane Anderson. Caroline Lagerfelt has stepped down from the previously announced alternate arrangement for the role when Metcalf became available after her television commitment was put on hiatus.

Original award-winning cast members Dennis Boutsikaris, Laurie Metcalf, JoBeth Williams will join Steven Culp and Caroline Lagerfelt Moving in Jane Anderson's The Quality of Life, inspired by the events of the Mt. Vision Fire of 1995 at A.C.T.

On September 22nd, the 2008 Ovation Award Nominees were announced. Now in its 19th year, the LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards will celebrate the 168 theatre companies, 390 registered productions, and over 2,000 individual artists who participated in the September 1, 2007 to August 31, 2008 season

The critically acclaimed World Premiere comedy NOVEMBER, by Pulitzer Prize winner DAVID MAMET, and starring two-time Tony Award-winner NATHAN LANE will play its final performance on Sunday, July 13th, for a final tally of 205 performances and 33 previews.

The critically acclaimed World Premiere comedy NOVEMBER, by Pulitzer Prize winner DAVID MAMET, and starring two-time Tony Award-winner NATHAN LANE will play its final performance on Sunday, July 13th, for a final tally of 205 performances.