Mercedes Ruehl 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.

The Falcon Theatre presents the west coast premiere comedy Everybody Say 'Cheese!', the final production in its 2008-2009 'Bringin' the FUNNY' All-Comedy subscription season. Written by comedy icon and founder of the Falcon Theatre Garry Marshall, Everybody Say 'Cheese!' is directed by Steve Zuckerman and stars Joe Regalbuto (Murphy Brown) and DeeDee Rescher (King of Queens). Rounding out the cast are: Cyrus Alexander, John Capodice, Heather Corwin, Joel Johnstone and Roberta Valderrama.

West Coast Ensemble presents the first show of their 2009 season, THE GRADUATE, adapted by Terry Johnson, based on the novel by Charles Webb, and the motion picture screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry, THE GRADUATE will be directed by Jules Aaron (Great Expectations). THE GRADUATE will preview on Wednesday, February 11 and Thursday, February 12 at 8:00pm and will open on Friday, February 13 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, April 5 at the new home of West Coast Ensemble - The El Centro Theatre, 800 N. El Centro Ave. in Hollywood.

Center Theatre Group has announced that Bill Pullman and Julia Stiles will appear in David Mamet's 'Oleanna', the third production of the Mark Taper season, replacing the previously announced 'Uncle Vanya.' That production was cancelled due to scheduling conflicts. Tony-winning Broadway director Doug Hughes will stage 'Oleanna,' which is scheduled to run May 28th through July 12th. Opening night is scheduled June 5th.

Mercedes Ruehl, who is currently appearing in MTC's critically acclaimed production of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN, will be a featured guest on tomorrow's edition of 'The Joan Hamburg Show.' Ruehl will be appearing as part of the Hamburg's regular 'Live at Sardi's' series at approximately 11 AM on WOR (710 AM).

Mercedes Ruehl, who is currently appearing in MTC's critically acclaimed production of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN, will be a featured guest on tomorrow's edition of 'The Joan Hamburg Show.' Ruehl will be appearing as part of the Hamburg's regular 'Live at Sardi's' series at approximately 11 AM on WOR (710 AM).

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.

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!

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.

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).

Bernadette Peter is currently starring on ABC's 'Ugly Betty' as Jodie Papadakis the editor running YETI, he recently chatted with 'Ugly Betty' star, Michael Urie for the 'Ugly Betty' podcast, it is now available on iTunes.

West Coast Ensemble presents the first show of their 2009 season, THE GRADUATE, adapted by Terry Johnson, based on the novel by Charles Webb, and the motion picture screenplay by Calder Willingham and Buck Henry, THE GRADUATE will be directed by Jules Aaron (Great Expectations). THE GRADUATE will preview on Wednesday, February 11 and Thursday, February 12 at 8:00pm and will open on Friday, February 13 at 8:00pm and continue through Sunday, April 5 at the new home of West Coast Ensemble - The El Centro Theatre, 800 N. El Centro Ave. in Hollywood.

Bernadette Peters and Nikki Blonsky guest star on UGLY BETTY tonight January 8th, 2009. UGLY BETTY is a Golden Globe and Emmy winning comedy starring America Ferrera in the title role, along with Eric Mabius, Judith Light, Rebecca Romijn and Vanessa Williams. The series premiered on September 28, 2006, on ABC in the United States.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) will present the upcoming 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 will begin previews tonight, Friday, January 2, 2009 and open on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at MTC's Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) is pleased to announce full casting for the upcoming Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN which will be directed by Tony? nominee David Grindley (Journey's End). BWW TV brings you an exclusive look behind the scenes at emotional story of The American Plan.

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) will present the upcoming Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN which will be directed by Tony nominee David Grindley (Journey's End). Lily Rabe and Mercedes Ruehl will be 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 will begin previews on Friday, January 2, 2009 and open on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at MTC's Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).