By Andrew Gans
01 Dec 2003

Casting is now complete for the Paper Mill production of The Tale of the Allergist's Wife.

As previously announced, Lenny Wolpe will play Dr. Ira Taub, and Emmy Award-winning actress Robin Strasser will play the title role. Joining the twosome will be Shirl Bernheim, repeating her Broadway role as the cantankerous Frieda. The company will also include Meg Foster as Lee Green and Ariel Shafir as Mohammed. Directed by Carl Andress, the Charles Busch comedy will play the New Jersey theatre Jan. 7-Feb. 8, 2004, with an official opening night scheduled for Jan. 11 at 7:30 PM.

After a successful run Off-Broadway, The Tale of the Allergist's Wife played Broadway's Ethel Barrymore Theatre 777 performances: Oct. 12, 2000-Sept. 15, 2002. The original Broadway cast included Lavin, Michele Lee, Tony Roberts, Shirl Bernheim and Anil Kumar. The play received three 2001 Tony nominations.

On Broadway Shirl Bernheim was seen in The Tale of the Allergist's Wife and Grease. Her other theatrical credits include Old Lady's Guide to Survival, Cyrano de Bergerac, Over the River and Through the Woods, Steel Magnolias, Social Security, George Washington Slept Here and The Man Who Came to Dinner. Bernheim has been seen on screen in "Anna," "I'm Not Rappaport," "Commandments," "Broadway Damage," "Guiding Light," "Law & Order" and "The Sopranos."

Tickets for The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, ranging from $30-$67, are available by calling (973) 376-4343. The Paper Mill: The State Theatre of New Jersey is located in Millburn, N.J., on Brookside Drive. Visit www.papermill.org for more information.