The first offering of the Primary Stages season began previews July 22 at 59E59 Theaters. Originally announced to play through Aug. 30, the show has extended two weeks through Sept. 13.
Mark Lamos (Cymbeline, Indian Blood) directs the New York premiere of the Gurney play, which also features Mark Blum, Carmen M. Herlihy, Jennifer Regan, James Waterston and Dathan B. Williams.
Buffalo Gal is billed as "a comedy that centers around Amanda, a once successful television personality whose star is now fading. Life imitates art as she returns to her hometown of Buffalo to star in Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard. Just as she is connecting with her roots – both on stage and off – she is called back to Hollywood for a role that could recharge her career. Will her love of theatre be enough to keep her in Buffalo?"
The six-member cast features Sullivan (The Fourth Wall, "Falcon Crest," "Dharma & Greg") as Amanda opposite Blum (Twelve Angry Men), Herlihy (The Piano Teacher), Regan (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), Waterston (As You Like It) and Williams (Show Boat).
The design team includes Andrew Jackness (set), Candice Donnelly (costumes), Mary Louise Geiger (lights), John Gromada (original music and sound) and Jay Duckworth (props). Matthew Melchiorre serves as production stage manager. Gurney, known for Love Letters and The Dining Room, has previously seen Primary Stages present his The Fourth Wall, Strictly Academic and Indian Blood.
Special "Artist/Audience Talkbacks" will follow performances on Aug. 7, 14 and 21.
Primary Stages continues its 24th season with Lee Blessing's A Body of Water (Sept. 30-Nov. 9), Daniel Jenkins and Robert Stanton's Love Child (Oct. 12-Nov. 19), Donald Margulies' Shipwrecked! An Entertainment — The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (As Told By Himself) (Jan. 27-March 7, 2009) and Jane Alexander starring in the world premiere of Tina Howe's Chasing Manet (March 24-May 2, 2009).
Tickets for Buffalo Gal at 59E59 Theaters (located at 59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues) are available by calling (212) 279-4200. For more information visit primarystages.com or call (212) 840-9705.
