The Signature Theatre Company's world premiere production of John Guare's Lake Hollywood officially opens April 29. Ralph Waite and Kate Burton star in the play, which closes the Guare season at the Off Broadway venue. Douglas Hughes and Itamar Kubovy co-direct the new piece.

Lake Hollywood began previews April 1 but delayed its opening from April 13 to April 29 so that Signature artistic director could have more time to work on it. Early in previews, Lake Hollywood extended its run through May 23 and quickly became one of the pre-sold hits of the spring season. The production was to have run through May 9.

The play tells of Agnes and Andrew and takes them from New Hampshire to New York, from 1940 to 1990. The story begins just prior to America's entry into WWII, as Agnes brings Andrew to meet her off-balance family at their country house on Lake Winnepassauki, New Hampshire. A "rural farce" of the Chekhov stamp follows, complete with Three Sisters like wildfires burning off-stage. Act two leaps ahead a half a century to Agnes and Andrew's tenement home in Hell's Kitchen.

Waite will play the older Andrew, while Burton is the younger Agnes. Waite has previously performed at the Signature, acting in Horton Foote's The Young Man from Atlanta. Burton recently appeared in The Beauty Queen of Leenane on Broadway.

Also in the cast are Adam Grupper as Young Andrew, Josh Harto as Randolph, Pamela Nyberg as Mrs. Larry, Amy Wright as Flo, Alan North as Uncle Ambrose, Betty Miller as Older Agnes and Natalie Paulding as Monica. Hughes' recent credits include Mystery School with Tyne Daly, David Rabe's A Question of Mercy and Tim Blake Nelson's Anadarko. Kubovy has directed throughout the world, at theatres in Germany, Sweden and the U.S.

Bosoms and Neglect, starring Mary Louise Wilson, was the most recent Guare offering at the Signature. The production, directed by Nicholas Martin, recently received a Drama Desk nomination as best revival of a play.

For memberships and information on the Signature Theatre season call (212) 244-PLAY.

-- By Robert Simonson