Sons of Alan Will Star in MTC's Losing Louie, Marking a First for Arkin Brothers

By Kenneth Jones
05 Jun 2006

From Left: Matthew and Adam Arkin.
From Left: Matthew and Adam Arkin.
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

The brothers Arkin — Matthew and Adam — will appear together on stage for the first time in the American premiere of Simon Mendes da Costa's comedy, Losing Louie, at Broadway's Biltmore Theatre this fall.

The Manhattan Theatre Club production, directed by Tony Award-winner Jerry Zaks, will also feature Scott Cohen as Louie, Jan Maxwell (Entertaining Mr. Sloane, Sixteen Wounded, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) and Michele Pawk (Seussical, Cabaret, Hollywood Arms)

Previews begin Sept. 21 for an Oct. 12 opening.

Casting for the remaining two roles for the seven-person cast will be announced at a later date.

"Siblings starring together on Broadway are a rare occurrence," notes MTC. "Perhaps most notably, sister and brother Adele and Fred Astaire starred in the 1924 musical Lady, Be Good, which featured music and lyrics by brothers George and Ira Gershwin.

The Arkin vehicle is no musical. MTC explains, "How do our childhood memories affect our lives? How do the mistakes of one generation impact the next? And most importantly, why does love make us do such crazy things? Interwoven events from the past and present blend together in this wise and witty new play, as two generations of family members work things out in the same bedroom, 50 years apart."

Adam Arkin starred in MTC's Brooklyn Boy at the Biltmore. Matthew Arkin starred in the Off-Broadway hit, Dinner With Friends and MTC's Moonlight & Magnolias. Their father is actor Alan Arkin.

Visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com for more information.