Eric McCormack, Emmy Award winner for 'Will & Grace,' will play El Gallo, Lucas Grabeel from 'High School Musical' will play Matt, and Broadway star and Tony nominee Harry Groener will play Bellomy in 'The Fantasticks,' which concludes the 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company at the Freud Playhouse May 5-May 17 (press opening May 6).
Eric McCormack, Emmy Award winner for 'Will & Grace,' will play El Gallo, Lucas Grabeel from 'High School Musical' will play Matt, and Broadway star and Tony nominee Harry Groener will play Bellomy in 'The Fantasticks,' which concludes the 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company at the Freud Playhouse May 5-May 17 (press opening May 6).
As playwright Matthew Lombardo continues to develop the upcoming Arena Stage production of Looped starring four-time Emmy Award-winning Valerie Harper (Rhoda on The Mary Tyler Moore Show) as Tallulah Bankhead, a casting change has taken place. Jay Goede, known for his work on Broadway in Angels in America, A Year with Frog and Toad and Sex and Longing, will now play opposite Harper in the pre-Broadway staging, directed by Rob Ruggiero at Arena Stage at the Lincoln Theatre May 29 through June 28, 2009. Full release to follow at a later date.
Reprise Theatre Company announced today that 'The Fantasticks' will replace the previously announced production of 'Chess,' May 5-17 at the Freud Playhouse. With music by Harvey Schmidt and book and lyrics by Tom Jones, 'The Fantasticks' is the world's longest-running musical and will be performed in Los Angeles as its current New York revival continues running off-Broadway.
Jason Alexander, artistic director of Reprise, said, 'I am saddened to report the reason why. Our world premiere production of 'Chess' was commissioned and brokered by Gerald Schoenfeld, President of the Shubert Organization. Just before the end of last year, Gerry passed away unexpectedly. Without his support our production of 'Chess' simply is not possible at this time. I am disappointed, both for the loss of this wonderful opportunity and for the loss of an old and good friend.'
Arena Stage recently received news that an actor cast in a leading role of the upcoming production of Sweet Bird of Youth is no longer available. At the same time, Arena was presented with the opportunity to produce a pre-Broadway comedy about an American icon starring a four-time Emmy Award-winning actress. With the major artist no longer available to perform in Sweet Bird of Youth, the theater has decided to seize the limited-time opportunity to share Looped?starring Valerie Harper (Rhoda in The Mary Tyler Moore Show) as Tallulah Bankhead?with its audiences prior to the show's Broadway engagement.
Four Time Emmy Award winning actress Valerie Harper stars as Tallulah Bankhead in the Pre-Broadway Engagement of Looped , a new comedy by Matthew Lombardo and directed by Rob Ruggiero. The production (direct from its sold out World Premiere at The Pasadena Playhouse) arrives at The Cuillo Centre for the Arts, prior to a Broadway bow in Summer 2009. Tony Award winning actor Jarrod Emick co-stars.
TV and film star Lindsay Crouse as Emily Dickinson, Paul O'Brien as George Bernard Shaw, and Sandra Shipley as famed actress Mrs. Patrick Campbell share intimate conversations in 'The Belle of Amherst' and 'Dear Liar' performing in repertory at Massachusetts' Gloucester Stage