Nathan Lane's TV comedy series, now titled "Encore! Encore!," scheduled to debut this fall on NBC. Its timeslot -- 8:30 PM Tuesdays between "Mad About You" and "Just Shoot Me" -- was announced by NBC May 18.
The series is being produced by the creative team behind the hit sitcom, "Frasier," which is moving to "Seinfeld's" old slot on Thursdays.
Joan Plowright, the 1961 Tony-winning actress (for A Taste of Honey), will co-star on the Lane sitcom, which was originally announced under the title "Encore."
Lane, himself a 1996 Tony Award winner for A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, will portray an opera singer who moves to the Napa Valley to help run the family vineyard. Lane is no stranger to the world of opera -- during the '89-'90 season, he portrayed the ultimate Maria Callas fan in Terrence McNally's hit Off-Broadway show The Lisbon Traviata.
Lane's Broadway credits include the 1992 revival of Guys and Dolls, in which he portrayed Nathan Detroit, and McNally's 1995 Tony winner for best play, Love! Valour! Compassion! His film credits include The Birdcage and the Dreamworks SKG flick, Mouse Hunt. All the major networks had pursued Lane's new TV series, which will be produced by Paramount Television, according to the LA Times.
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