Philadelphia Theatre Company concludes its 2001-2002 season May 31-June 30 with the world premiere of actor-turned playwright Daniel Stern's comedy, Barbra's Wedding, a play that asks the question, "What was it like being the neighbor of Barbra Streisand on the hectic day when the singer married James Brolin?"
David Warren directs with John Pankow and Julie White starring as married neighbors of Streisand. Performances play the Plays & Players Theatre in Philly. Opening is set for June 5.
"In Barbra's Wedding, life as Barbra Streisand’s neighbor isn't always easy," according to the announcement of the new work by the actor known for the films "Diner," "City Slickers," "Breaking Away," "Home Alone" and the voice of older Kevin in TV's "The Wonder Years."
Jerry Siff, an unemployed actor and former television star, grapples with the paparazzi covering his extremely famous neighbor’s wedding to James Brolin. "As the scrutiny around the nuptials increases, Jerry finds his own marriage in the spotlight, with his wife Molly struggling to be supportive. In this domestic comedy, the pursuit of happiness finds itself at increasing odds with the pursuit of fame," according to PTC.
Director David Warren's recent credits include Off-Broadway's Hobson's Choice at the Atlantic Theatre Company with Martha Plimpton, Richard Greenberg's The Dazzle for Roundabout Theatre Company and Twelfth Night at Long Wharf Theatre. He directed the Broadway revival of Holiday which received an Outer Critics Circle nomination for Best Revival, as well as Summer & Smoke and Misalliance, both at the Roundabout. John Pankow was a series regular on "Mad About You" as Ira Buchman and appeared in the films "Life as a House," "Object of My Affection," "A Stranger Among Us" and "The Secret of My Success." His theater credits include Mozart in Amadeus on Broadway, The Tempest, Two Gentlemen of Verona and Henry V at New York Shakespeare Festival; Aristocrats and Italian American Reconciliation, both at Manhattan Theatre Club, Cloud 9 at Lucille Lortel Theatre, and North Shore Fish at the WPA Theatre.
Julie White is familiar to television audiences for her recurring role as Mitzi Dalton-Huntley in the popular HBO series "Six Feet Under." In New York she has appeared on Broadway in The Heidi Chronicles as well as at Manhattan Theatre Club and Playwrights Horizons. Regionally she has performed at Mark Taper Forum, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Yale Repertory Theatre, and Seattle Repertory Theatre. She was a series regular on TV's "Grace Under Fire" as Nadine Swoboda.
Designers are Neil Patel (set), David Woolard (costumes) and Donald Holder and Traci Klainer (co-lighting) and Fitz Patton (sound).
Philadelphia Theatre Company, now in its 26th season, is Philadelphia's only non-profit professional theatre dedicated to producing regional and world premieres of works by contemporary American playwrights. Sara Garonzik is artistic director.
PTC has been in residence at the historic Plays & Players Theater since 1982.
Performances run Tuesday through Sunday until June 30. Tickets are $28 $42, with discounts for students, seniors and groups, and are available by calling the UpStages Box Office at (215) 569-9700 or visiting www.phillytheatreco.com. The Plays & Players Theatre is at 1714 Delancey Street.
