Opah! Stageshow to Film to TV "My Big Fat Greek Life" Premieres on CBS, Feb. 24
By Ernio Hernandez
24 Feb 2003
Nia Vardalos, Lainie Kazan, Andrea Martin and Michael Constantine star in the CBS comedy "My Big Fat Greek Life," based on the movie adapted from the one-woman show My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The series debuts Feb. 24 at 9:30 PM (ET).
"My Big Fat Greek Life" will follow the infamous Portokalos family and their overzealous ways. The sitcom will pick up where the movie left off, as Nia and her non-Greek husband Thomas (Ian in the movie) return from their honeymoon to find her family still meddling.
Actress Nia Vardalos, fed up with the lack of work coming her way, decided to piece together stories about her wild and Greek family for a one-woman show. The stageshow, staged at California's Hudson Theater followed by a run at the Globe Theatre, caught the attention of actress-producer Rita Wilson and husband Tom Hanks, who signed on to bring the play to the screen. CBS had picked up rights for the series before the movie. The sitcom was then reconfigured to set the show chronologically after the movie.
Most of the leads of the sleeper hit movie's cast will reprise their roles for the small screen. Steven Eckholdt will take over the role of the heroine's new hubby as played in the movie by John Corbett. Recent Rent star Joey Fatone (of N' Sync fame), who played a minor role in the movie, will also appear.
Vardalos, star and creator of the original stageshow character Nia, is an alumni of The Second City Comedy Theater in Toronto and Chicago. The actress will also soon begin work on her next film project, "Connie and Carla Do L.A.," co-starring Toni Collete (Wild Party).
Kazan, who plays the Portokalos matriarch, began her career understudying for Barbra Streisand in the Broadway's Funny Girl. The actress also got her chance to be in the spotlight in such productions as Doin' What Comes Natur'lly, The Government Inspector and My Favorite Year which garnered her a Tony Award nomination. Also known as a singer, Kazan has recorded the albums "In the Groove" and "Body and Soul," and continues to perform across the country.
Martin, who plays the aunt of Nia, was recently seen on the stage in the Broadway revival of Oklahoma! The actress known for her comedic talents on the television series "SCTV" has also appeared in Candide and her Tony Award winning turn in My Favorite Year.
Constantine, who plays the father, won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Seymour Hoffman in the series "Room 222." Also a stage star, his legit credits Inherit the Wind, Compulsion as well as the original production of The Miracle Worker and Arturo Ui.
Pam Fryman directs the pilot episode written by star and co-executive producer Vardalos with executive producer Marsh McCall. "My Big Fat Greek Life" is produced by Brad Grey Television, The Playtone Company and Marsh McCall Productions, in association with Sony Pictures Television. Brad Grey, Marsh McCall and Rita Wilson are the executive producers.
"My Big Fat Greek Life" will debut on CBS Feb. 24 at 9:30 PM (ET) and then play in its regular time slot on Sundays at 8 PM, starting March 2. Check your local listings. For more information, visit www.cbs.com.
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