Marlo Thomas Lands Role in "The New Normal"; George Street Postpones Clever Little Lies, Adds Best of Enemies to Season

By Andrew Gans
12 Oct 2012

Marlo Thomas
Marlo Thomas

Stage and screen star Marlo Thomas, who had been scheduled to star in the George Street Playhouse production of Clever Little Lies, has landed a recurring role in the new TV series "The New Normal," prompting the New Jersey venue to postpone its production of the Joe DiPietro play.

Artistic director David Saint announced that in its place will be Mark St. Germain’s The Best of Enemies, originally produced by Barrington Stage Company. Performances at the New Brunswick theatre are scheduled for Nov. 29-Dec. 23.

“George Street Playhouse’s good friend Marlo Thomas has been offered a recurring role in the television series, ‘The New Normal,’" said Saint in a statement. “Unfortunately the result of this wonderful opportunity is that she will not be able to appear on our stage this fall in Joe DiPietro’s Clever Little Lies. We have decided to postpone the production until such time as when Marlo is available and wish her well on this exciting project.”

Saint continued, “It is my pleasure to welcome my friend and colleague Julianne Boyd, artistic director of the nationally-renowned Barrington Stage Company, who will re-mount her critically-acclaimed production of The Best of Enemies on the George Street Playhouse stage. I am exceptionally proud to bring this powerful, moving and uplifting play about redemption and hope to George Street Playhouse.”

Inspired by the best-selling book by Osha Gray Davidson, The Best of Enemies, according to press notes, is a "true story about the relationship between C.P. Ellis (a Grand Cyclops of the KKK) and Ann Atwater (an African-American civil rights activist) during the desegregation of the Durham, NC, schools in 1971. The Best of Enemies exposes the poison of prejudice in the hearts of Atwater and Ellis who, by facing each other, are forced to face the worst, and best, in themselves."

Tickets issued for Clever Little Lies will be honored for The Best of Enemies. Ticketholders may contact the George Street Playhouse Patron Services Department at (732) 246-7717 with any questions or concerns. George Street Playhouse is located at 9 Livingston Avenue.