Silverstone, Germann and Tenney Ready for L.A. Run of Mamet's Speed-the-Plow

By Ernio Hernandez
21 Dec 2006

Alicia Silverstone in CBS's "Candles on Bay Street."
Alicia Silverstone in CBS's "Candles on Bay Street."
Photo by CBS

Screen stars Alicia Silverstone, Greg Germann and Jon Tenney will take the stage in the upcoming Geffen Playhouse production of David Mamet's Hollywood satire Speed-the-Plow.

Geffen artistic director Randall Arney will direct the production on the California theatre's main stage, starting previews Jan. 30, 2007 and opening Feb. 7 for a run through March 25.

Speed-the-Plow "delves into the world of studio executive Bobby Gould who must choose between green lighting a formulaic prison-breakout drama with a big star attached, and an obscure mystical novel about the end of the world," according to production notes.

Germann — remembered for his turn on "Ally McBeal" — will play the role of Charlie Fox. The actor has appeared on stage in Assassins, Biloxi Blues, A Narrow Bed, Remedial English, Apocalyptic Butterflies, The Person I Once Was and War Games as well as the films "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby," "Friends with Money," "Joe Somebody" and "Sweet November."

Silverstone played on Broadway in The Graduate and in the Geffen's run of Boston Marriage. The actress — who will play Karen — is well-known for her film turns in "Clueless," "The Crush," "Batman and Robin," "Blast From the Past," "Love's Labour's Lost" and "Beauty Shop” She appeared on TV in "Miss Match" and the forthcoming "Singles Table."

Tenney takes on the role of Gould. Seen on Broadway in The Heiress and Off Broadway in Tartuffe, The Impossible Marriage, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, The Substance of Fire, Sweet Sue, Beggars in the House of Plenty and the national tour of The Real Thing can be seen in the cable series "The Closer." Other credits include the films "Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World," "You Can Count on Me," "With Friends Like These," "Fools Rush In," "Tombstone" and "Nixon.”

The Mamet play opened on Broadway in 1988 in a production directed by Gregory Mosher and starring Joe Mantegna (as Bobby Gould), Ron Silver (Charlie Fox) and Madonna (Karen).

The Geffen design team will feature Robert Blackman (scenic and costume) and Daniel Ionazzi (lighting). Michelle Magaldi serves as production stage manager.

The Geffen Playhouse currently presents Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking (through Jan. 14, 2007) and Ricky Jay & His 52 Assistants (through Jan. 27, 2007). Also slated are Tom Stoppard's translation of Gérald Sibleyras' Heroes (April 10-May 27, 2007), Hershey Felder's George Gershwin Alone (June 5-July 22, 2007) and Neil LaBute's Fat Pig (May 5-July 15, 2007).

Tickets to Speed-the-Plow at the Geffen Playhouse, located at 10886 Le Conte Avenue in Westwood, CA can be purchased by calling (310) 208-5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com.