Rue McClanahan Bows Out of Bway's Six Dance Lessons; Hamill Ready to Dance

By Kenneth Jones
27 Jun 2003

Mark Hamill and Rue McClanahan in the Coconut Grove Playhouse production of Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks.
Mark Hamill and Rue McClanahan in the Coconut Grove Playhouse production of Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks.

Rue McClanahan won't partner with Mark Hamill when Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks waltzes onto Broadway, the producers announced June 27.

The actress best known for "Maude" and "The Golden Girls" has left the planned production by mutual consent with the producers of the comedy by Richard Alfieri.

A Broadway date and a new leading lady will be announced. Hamill remains with the show. Arthur Allan Seidelman continues as director of the new comedy about a widow who finds common ground with a gay dance teacher. The producers were looking at a September opening, but that has been rescheduled.

McClanahan, who starred with Mark Hamill in a well received production of the play at the Coconut Grove Playhouse earlier this year, "has decided to pursue other opportunities and not continue with the production by mutual agreement with the producers."

"I deeply regret that we have been unable to come to an agreement," McClanahan said in a statement.

The comedy's producers are Rodger Hess, Marcia Seligson and Entpro Plays, Inc.

The play premiered two years ago at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, where Uta Hagen and David Hyde Pierce starred.