Alley Theatre
www.alleytheatre.org
615 Texas Avenue, Houston, Texas
Gregory Boyd, Artistic Director
Presents
LEADING LADIES
October 15 through November 7, 2004
Written and Directed by Ken Ludwig
Hubbard Stage
(L-R) Brent Barrett is Maxine and Christopher Duva as Stephanie in the Alley Theatre's production of Ken Ludwig's LEADING LADIES. The production opens on the Alley Theatre's
Hubbard Stage October 20th and runs through November 7th, 2004. For more information, click on www.alleytheatre.org or call 713-228-8421. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.
World Premiere Comedy LEADING LADIES Leads Alley Theatre's 2004 - 2005 Hubbard
Stage Season. Ken Ludwig's LEADING LADIES Runs October 15 - November 7, 2004 with
Tickets as Low as $19!
Houston, TX - The Alley Theatre kicks off its 2004 - 2005 Hubbard Stage season with the world premiere production of
Ken Ludwig's new comedy LEADING LADIES. Directed by the playwright, the production features a cast of Broadway and
television luminaries including:
LEADING LADIES stars Dan Lauria, who is best known for his TV role as Jack Arnold, Kevin's father in The Wonder Years. Mr. Lauria appears as Doc, the local country doctor
in the Alley Theatre's production of Ken Ludwig's LEADING LADIES. The production opens on the Alley Theatre's
Hubbard Stage October 20th and runs through November 7th, 2004. For more information, click on www.alleytheatre.org or call 713-228-8421.
Dan Lauria (Jack Arnold from the long running TV series The Wonder Years)
Brent Barrett (Billy Flynn in Broadway's Chicago)
Jane Connell (original Agnes Gooch in Mame)
Erin Dilly (lead role in Broadway's upcoming Chitty Chitty Bang Bang)
Christopher Duva (Broadway's The Elephant Man and Alley's Synergy)
Mark Jacoby (Tony nominee for Show Boat)
Lacey Kohl (Broadway's Grease!) and
Tim McGeever (Lincoln Center's Chaucer in Rome).
LEADING LADIES is the first production of the new season to offer the Alley's $19 "Cheap Thrills" tickets for every
Tuesday and Sunday evening performance.
This energetic comedy of mistaken identities takes over the Hubbard Stage for previews Friday, October 15 and opens
officially on Wednesday October 20, 2004. A co-production with Cleveland Play House, LEADING LADIES runs through
Sunday, November 7, 2004. LEADING LADIES is sponsored by the Enbridge Energy Company and the Shell Oil
Company Foundation with additional support from the American Express Company. This production is also made possible
through support provided by The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts Performance Fund, dedicated to the production of new
work for the stage.
Playwright and director Ken Ludwig is the author of several Broadway and London hits. His play Crazy For You won the
Tony Award, Olivier Award, Drama Desk Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and Helen Hayes Award as Best Musical of
the Year and was broadcast nationwide in 1999 on PBS' Great Performances. His work Lend Me A Tenor won two Tony
Awards, an Outer Critics Circle Award, and was nominated for England's prestigious Olivier Comedy of the Year Award.
On Broadway, Ludwig's Moon Over Buffalo starred Carol Burnett, then Lynn Redgrave, and went onto the West End in
London. Also, his adaptation of Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur's Twentieth Century recently ran on Broadway. Ludwig's
work has been translated into 16 languages and performed in over 30 countries around the world. His Off-Broadway hits
include Sullivan and Gilbert, Postmortem and Divine Fire; and for film, he has written All Shook Up for Touchstone Pictures
and Lend Me A Tenor for Columbia Pictures
(L-R) Jane Connell is Florence and Mark Jacoby is Duncan in the Alley Theatre's production of Ken Ludwig's LEADING LADIES. The production opens on the Alley Theatre's
Hubbard Stage October 20th and runs through November 7th, 2004. For more information, click on www.alleytheatre.org or call 713-228-8421. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.
Ludwig's new comedy features two down-on-their-luck Shakespearean actors (Brent Barrett and Christopher Duva) who
have been reduced to performing in the Amish countryside of Pennsylvania. When they learn that a wealthy old woman (Jane
Connell) in search of her two long-lost heirs is on her deathbed, they devise a plan that sends them on the performance of their
lives. When their scheme was side-tracked by the meeting of a beautiful niece (Erin Dilly) who longs to be in the theatre, the
actors must quickly alter their plans making for a hilarious new comedy of mistaken identities.
The production also benefits from a brilliant design team with set designer Neil Patel (Broadway's Side Man and Alley's
Hamlet), costume designer Judy Dolan (Broadway's Parade and Hollywood Arms) and Alley's You Can't Take It With You)
and sound designer John Gromada (Broadway and Alley's Proof).
LEADING LADIES CAST BIOS
DAN LAURIA - who will appear as Doc, the local country doctor - is most often remembered for his role as Jack, the
patriarch of the Arnold family, on the long running TV series The Wonder Years. Lauria has over 70 film and television credits
to his name including the films Without A Trace, Rhapsody in Bloom, Stake out, Another Stakeout, and Independence Day
and the TV series Amazing Grace and The Hoop Life (Showtime). His stage credits include:
the recent Off - Broadway production of Ears on a Beatle, a recent benefit performance of the 9/11 drama The Guys with
Swoosie Kurtz, Jerry Sterner's play Other People's Money opposite Priscilla Lopez, and numerous productions in Los
Angeles including The Caine Mutiny Court - Martial, Joyce Carol Oates' American Appetites and Gary Lennon's Blackout.
LEADING LADIES stars Dan Lauria, seen here as Jack Arnold, Kevin's father in The Wonder Years. Mr. Lauria appears as Doc, the local country doctor
in the Alley Theatre's production of Ken Ludwig's LEADING LADIES. The production opens on the Alley Theatre's
Hubbard Stage October 20th and runs through November 7th, 2004. For more information, click on www.alleytheatre.org or call 713-228-8421.
JANE CONNELL - A Broadway veteran, is most often noted for her performance as the original Agnes Gooch in the
musical Mame. Connell recently appeared in the Broadway and national touring production of The Full Monty. Her long
career includes numerous Broadway credits such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, as well as the productions of Ludwig's
Moon Over Buffalo, Crazy For You and Lend Me A Tenor, for which she received an Outer Critics Circle Award. She has
also received a Tony Award nomination for her performance in Me and My Girl. Other credits include Drat! The Cat, the
London premiere of Once Upon A Mattress, the national tour of Annie, and the Theatre de Lys' production of The
Threepenny Opera. Her TV appearances include multiple guest spots on All in the Family, Maude, The Ed Sullivan Show and
Bewitched.
ERIN DILLY - is slated for the lead role of Truly Scrumptious in Broadway's upcoming Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. She was
featured in Broadway's Follies and Something's Good, in addition to the Broadway revivals of Into The Woods and The Boys
From Syracuse. Her Off-Broadway credits include the acclaimed Encores Series production of Babes in Arms, the national
tours of Beauty and the Beast and South Pacific and the productions of Things You Shouldn't Say Past Midnight, Summer,
Little Kit, and The Witch of Wall Street. Dilly also performed in the American premiere of Cameron Mackintosh's Martin
Guerre, for which she received a Helen Hayes nomination for Best Actress. Regionally, Dilly has appeared at The Guthrie
Theatre, The Goodspeed Opera House, and Paper Mill Playhouse, among others. She recently finished shooting the film
Everyday People, currently airing on HBO and her other television credits include guest spots on the NBC series Law &
Order and Fox's The Jury.
BRENT BARRETT - has put in memorable stays in lead roles on Broadway, including his portrayal as suave lawyer Billy
Flynn in the hit production Chicago. The singer - actor received an Olivier Award for his role in the London Premiere of the
recent revival of Kiss Me, Kate. His other theatre credits include the role of Frank Butler opposite Reba McEntire in the
Broadway revival of Annie Get Your Gun, revivals of Candidate and West Side Story, the New York City Opera production
of Brigadoon and the national tours of Chicago, Annie Get Your Gun, and Grand Hotel. He also recently appeared in
Anything Goes for the Reprise concert series in Los Angeles and in Pajama Game and On A Clear Day You Can See
Forever for the encores series at New York's City Center. Other performances include the New Zealand production of The
Secret Garden, the pre-Broadway tour of Busker Alley, and Off - Broadway's Closer Than Ever, The March of the
Falsettos, The Death of Von Richtofen, and The Time of the Cuckoo. As a soloist, Barrett has performed with the BBC
Concert Orchestra, London Sinfonietta, National orchestra of France, Vienna Radio Symphony, Boston Pops, and in the
New York Festival of Song, among others.
MARK JACOBY - who will play the role of Duncan, Meg's fiance, originated the role of Father in Ragtime. For his role in
Showboat, Jacoby received a Tony Award Nomination, Outer Critics Circle Award Nomination, and Joseph jefferson
Award Nomination. He has appeared in the recent Broadway revival Man of La Mancha as well as the Broadway
productions of Grand Hotel, The Phantom of the Opera, and Sweet Charity. Other New York credits include the American
Premiere of Enter the Guardsman, for which he received a Drama Desk Award Nomination, Sitting Pretty, Bells Are Ringing,
and Einstein on the Beach. Regionally, Jacoby appeared in the world premiere production of The Visit at the Goodman
Theatre, the national tour of The Mystery of Edwin Drood, the Goodspeed Opera House production of On the Twentieth
Century and the world premiere of Chamberlain at the Maine Street Music Theatre, among others.
CHROSTOPHER DUVA - who will be recognized by Alley audiences for his performance as Roland in alley Theatre's
world premiere of Keith Reddin's Synergy, recently appeared in the Broadway revival of The Elephant Man. Other credits
include Manhattan Theatre Club's An Experiment with an Air Pump, Century Theatre's How I Learned to Drive and the New
York Shakespeare Festival's Tartuffe and Two Gentlemen of Verona. Regionally, Duva has appeared in Hartford Stage's The
Philadelphia Story, Enchanted April, Huntington Theatre's Gross Indecency and The Old Globe's The Compleat Works of
William Shakespeare (abridged). He has also appeared in the films The Out-Of-Towners and The Myth of Fingerprints.
LACEY KOHL - who will appear as Audrey, a friend of Jack and Leo, debuted on Broadway in the 1994 revival of
Carousel at Lincoln Center. Her other Broadway credits include The Who's Tommy, Smokey Joe's Café, and Grease! She
also appeared in the American premiere of Andrew Lloyd Weber's Whistle Down the Wind, the Los Angeles production of
the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and the Playwrights Horizons' production of Wilder. Her film credits include Secretary, Ron
Howard's How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Viva Las Nowhere, Trick, and Spike Lee's He Got Game.
TIM MCGEEVER - who will appear as Doc's son Butch, has performed Off Broadway in the Lincoln Center's production of
Chaucer in Rome, the Brooklyn Academy of Music's The White Devil, the Improbable Theatre Company's Lifegame and the
New York Shakespeare Festival's Tartuffe. McGeever has appeared regionally at The Guthrie Theater, Studio Arena,
Portland Stage Company, Folio Theatre and the Pioneer Theater Company.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS
$19 "CHEAP THRILLS" TICKETS
$19 tickets are now available for every Tuesday and Sunday evening performance during the run of LEADING LADIES.
Taking a cue from the Alley's popular ExxonMobil Summer Chills series, which offers low prices throughout the summer, the
Theatre launches its innovative $19 "CHEAP THRILLS" program - a new price level now available for every Tuesday and
Sunday evening Hubbard Stage performance during the 2004 - 2005 regular season. Patrons can purchase $19 "Cheap
Thrills" tickets by phone, online and by walk - up for the following Tuesday and Sunday evening performances during the run
of Leading Ladies: Tuesdays include October 19, 26 and November 2, 2004 and Sundays include October 17, 24, 31 and
November 7, 2004.
TALK TO THE ARTISTS
Alley patrons are invited to attend two post-show Talk - Backs with the cast of Leading Ladies and member of the artistic
staff on Saturday, October 23, 2004, immediately following the matinee performance and Tuesday, October 26, 2004
immediately following the evening performance.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION AND CAPTIONING
There will be an open-captioned and audio-described performance of LEADING LADIES at 2:30pm on Sunday November
7, 2004. Funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts.
SPANISH TRANSLATION
There will be two Spanish - translated performances of LEADING LADIES at 2:30pm and 7:30pm Sunday, October 31,
2004. Thanks to two Spanish - speaking actors in the booth translating live through personal headsets, Spanish - speaking
patrons will be able to enjoy the show. Availability is limited. Ticket holders should alert the box office in advance to reserve
the headsets.
TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets to LEADING LADIES are available for purchase at www.alleytheatre.org at the Alley Theatre Box
Office, 615 Texas Avenue, or by calling 713-228-8421. Tickets to performances range from $19 - $52 with $19
"Cheap Thrills" tickets available for Tuesday and Sunday evening performances. Groups of 10 or more can
purchase tickets at a discounted rate by calling 713-228-9341, ext. 346. The added convenience of reservations by
phone or Internet is available for a nominal fee.
The Alley Theatre is funded in part by the City of Houston and the Texas Commission on the Arts through the Cultural Arts
Council of Houston and Harris County.
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ALLEY THEATRE PRODUCES WORLD PREMIERE COMEDY
LEADING LADIES
by Ken Ludwig
LEADING LADIES Plays on the Alley's Hubbard Stage October 15 - November 7, 2004
LEADING LADIES
World Premiere Production
Written and Directed by Ken Ludwig
Hubbard Stage, 615 Texas Avenue
Take two down - on - their - luck Shakespearean actors reduced to performing in the Amish countryside of Pennsylvania and
add a wealthy old woman searching for her two long-lost heirs. Then, mix in the beautiful niece how longs to be in the theatre
and you have a rollicking new comedy of mistaken identities. LEADING LADIES is a world premiere by the author of
Broadway's Crazy for You, lend Me a Tenor, and the current adaptation of Twentieth Century. A co-production with
Cleveland Play House.
(L-R) Erin Dilly is Meg and Brent Barrett is Maxine in the Alley Theatre's production of Ken Ludwig's LEADING LADIES. The production opens on the Alley Theatre's
Hubbard Stage October 20th and runs through November 7th, 2004. For more information, click on www.alleytheatre.org or call 713-228-8421. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.