Rob Ruggiero, who staged Looped and High on Broadway, directs the comedy about a stage manager's struggles with a new Broadway play, its Hollywood star and an actor in the wings. The Understudy began previews Aug. 5 and will continue through Sept. 18.

Paterson (Broadway's A Little Night Music, Les Miserables) plays frazzled stage manager Roxanne, with Montelongo (Broadway's A View from the Bridge) as Jake and Benator (August: Osage County) as Harry.

According to TheaterWorks, "Harry is cast as the cover in a major Broadway show for Jake, a Hollywood action star yearning for the legitimacy of being on stage. Trying to run rehearsals, stage manager Roxanne is forced to contend with a stoned light-board operator, a wildly omnipresent intercom system, producers threatening to shutter the production, and the quintessential question in the world of theater: 'Will the show go on?'"

The design team includes Luke Hegel-Cantarella (set design), Amy Clark (costume design), Scott Bolman (lighting design) and Vincent Olivieri (sound design).

Rebeck's plays include Mauritius, Our House, Bad Dates, The Scene, Omnium Gatherum (Pulitzer Finalist), The Water's Edge, Loose Knit, The Family of Mann, Spike Heels and The Butterfly Collection. Her writing for the screen includes "Dream On," "Brooklyn Bridge," "L.A. Law," "American Dreamer" and "Third Watch." Rebeck also wrote the novel "Three Girls and Their Brother." She is also at work on the new NBC musical series "Smash." Her play Seminar will debut on Broadway this fall.

For tickets, phone (860) 527-7838, or visit theaterworkshartford.org.