Kenneth Lonergan's seriocomic drama, Lobby Hero, ends a four-month commercial Off-Broadway run Sept. 2 following its spring world premiere at Playwrights Horizons.
Producers of the four-character play by the author of The Waverly Gallery and This Is Our Youth, announced a limited run at the John Houseman Theatre for May 8-July 15, and an extension was added to Sept. 2.
Lobby Hero started with a sold-out stretch at Playwrights Horizons, and the original cast of director Mark Brokaw's sold-out staging remained throughout the summer. The play is expected to emerge in American regional theatres in the coming months. South Coast Repertory Theatre in Calfornia will stage it beginning Feb. 15, 2002.
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The piece tells of a young, directionless security guard (Glenn Fitzgerald) facing issues of truth, loyalty, morality and self in a New York apartment building lobby. He spars with his boss (Dion Graham), a cocky but adulterous veteran cop (Tate Donovan) and his sexy rookie partner (Heather Burns), who's probably not cut out to be a policewoman. All four are on edge in the wake of a murder. Issues of justice, honesty and integrity burble throughout the seriocomic play, which Lonergan edited in previews at Playwrights Horizons. The play was an audience favorite at Playwrights Horizons, prompting audience debate and discussion, and received solid notices. The commercial run is presented by Mosaic Entertainment (Jon Steingart, Jenny Wiener) and Hal Luftig. Talkbacks with the author, director and cast were part of the summer run.
To view Playbill On-Line's summer Brief Encounter interview with actor Tate Donovan, discussing Lobby Hero, click here.
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Lonergan was a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his 2000 Off- Broadway play, The Waverly Gallery, and was nominated for an Academy Award in 2001 for his original screenplay of "You Can Count On Me," which he also directed. He also penned Off-Broadway's This Is Our Youth.
Designers are Allen Moyer (set), Michael Krass (costume), Mark McCullough (lighting) and Janet Kalas (sound).
The Playwrights Horizons production of Lobby Hero began previews Feb. 16 and opened March 13. Its six-week run was extended three times, ending April 15 due to the scheduled next production in Playwrights Horizons' season.
The John Houseman Theatre is at 450 W. 42nd Street. Tickets are $45-$50. A limited number of $20 student tickets will be available at every performance. For tickets, call (212) 239 6200, or visit the box office.
— By Kenneth Jones
