Production spokespersons confirmed that Galecki — who appeared in the original Off-Broadway run — will miss the Oct. 26 and 27 shows, returning to the Cort Theatre Oct. 28. Understudy Brian Henderson will tackle the lead role while Galecki completes re-shoots on "The Big Bang Theory" in which he stars.
The comedy, which played Off-Broadway's Second Stage Theatre in 2005-06, will bark anew on Broadway Oct. 26 with an opening slated for Nov. 13. Roy Gabay and Susan Dietz in association with Second Stage Theatre present the work.
Original cast members Julie White (acclaimed for her broad and incisive work as a Hollywood star's voracious agent) and Galecki (who plays a young hustler who connects with the star) will be joined by Tom Everett Scott — who assumes the role of the star, previously played by Neal Huff. The role of Ellen (played Off-Broadway by Zoe Lister-Jones) will be portrayed by Ari Graynor (Brooklyn Boy, Dog Sees God).
Director Scott Ellis first told Playbill.com (January 2006) about the possibility of a Broadway transfer. "The biggest challenge right now is there's no theatre this season. [The thought is] in case something closes, if we get a shot at it this season, we would go in. If not, the talk is that we do it in the fall."
* The Little Dog Laughed satirizes the world of tabloid gossip, Hollywood and celebrities in a story that centers around a Hollywood agent, her very up-and-coming boy-toy client, a sexy young drifter and his girlfriend.
"It's sort of the last taboo — which movie stars are gay? Because everyone sort of knows it, but no one talks about it," Beane explains about his latest work. "The last time I was in L.A. I mentioned this play to a movie producer. I said 'it's about a closeted movie star' and [the producer] literally gasped as if I said it was about a mass murderer. He said 'Oh no, oh no — don't say that — don't talk about that.'"
The Little Dog Laughed began performances Off-Broadway Dec. 13, 2005 and the opened Jan. 9 to positive critical response, extending the run four more weeks through Feb. 26, 2006.
The original design team transfers to Broadway: Allen Moyer (set), Jeff Mahshie (costumes) and Donald Holder (lighting). The production features original music by Lewis Flinn.
Tickets to The Little Dog Laughed at the Cort, 138 West 48 Street, will be available by calling (212) 239-6200. For more information on the show, visit secondstagetheatre.com/littledog.
