Deuce Pulls Out of Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Races

By Andrew Gans
and Ernio Hernandez
06 Apr 2007

Seldes (l.) and Lansbury
Seldes (l.) and Lansbury
Photo by Michael O'Neill

Deuce, the new Terrence McNally play that boasts the return to the stage of Tony Award winner Angela Lansbury, has decided to make itself ineligible for Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League races.

A spokesperson for the play, which will co-star Broadway royalty Lansbury and Marian Seldes, told Playbill.com, "The eligibility requirements for [Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League] awards asked that the nominators of the respective organizations be accommodated to see the show after only a week of performances. We decided that this was too much pressure to put on the cast and the production."

Letters were sent to Drama Desk president William Wolf, Outer Critics Circle president Simon Saltzman and Drama League president Derek Collard informing them of the decision.

The letter stated: "We regret to inform you that Deuce will not be able to meet your deadlines for eligibility for the [Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League] awards this season.

The deadline for Tony nominations is once again a week later than in previous years, and Deuce's opening date is May 6th. Our press performances, when we would ordinarily accommodate your nominating committee, do not begin until May 2nd, which is well past your nominating deadline. Deuce is simply unable to accommodate your nominators any earlier than our press performance dates."

Michael Mulheren and Broadway newcomers Joanna P. Adler and Brian Haley will join Seldes and Lansbury for Deuce, which begins performances April 11 at the Music Box Theatre. The "strictly limited engagement" of 18 weeks will officially open May 6.

The acclaimed actresses will play former doubles tennis legends reunited at a championship match in McNally's latest work.

The Music Box Theatre is located in Manhattan at 239 West 45th Street.