This, With Nicholson, Cancelmi, Davis, Fitzgerald and Pettie, Opens Off-Broadway

By Kenneth Jones
02 Dec 2009

This star Julianne Nicholson
This star Julianne Nicholson
Photo by Joan Marcus

This, Melissa James Gibson's tale of the circle of friends in the complicated life of a grieving single mom, played by "Law & Order" star Julianne Nicholson, opens Dec. 2 in a world premiere engagement at Playwrights Horizons.

From the Obie Award-winning author of [sic] and Suitcase comes the new "un-romantic comedy," directed by Obie Award winner Daniel Aukin (who was artistic director of Soho Rep for eight seasons).

Previews began Nov. 6 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater at 416 W. 42nd Street. The limited engagement plays to Dec. 13.

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The cast features Nicholson (well-known to TV audiences as Detective Megan Wheeler on "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," Craig Lucas' Stranger at The Vineyard, the recently-opened film "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men"), Louis Cancelmi (The Singing Forest, Blasted), Obie Award winner Eisa Davis (Passing Strange, Angela's Mix Tape), Glenn Fitzgerald (Lortel nomination for Lobby Hero at Playwrights Horizons, Brian Darling on ABC's "Dirty Sexy Money") and Darren Pettie (Spatter Pattern at Playwrights Horizons, Butley on Broadway).

According to Playwrights Horizons, "In This, Jane (Julianne Nicholson) is not okay. She's a promising poet without a muse, a single mother without lessons to pass along. Her dating life's a shambles, and her helpful friends are only helping make things more complicated. This bright, witty, un-romantic comedy captures the uncertain steps of a circle of friends backing their way into middle age."

The production features scenic design by Louisa Thompson, costume design by Maiko Matsushima, lighting design by Matt Frey, sound design by Matt Tierney and original music by Peter Eldridge. Production stage manager is Kasey Ostopchuck.

For tickets, visit TicketCentral.com or call (212) 279-4200 (noon-8 PM daily), or in person at the Ticket Central Box Office, 416 West 42nd Street (between Ninth & Tenth Avenues).

Visit www.playwrightshorizons.org.