Nathan Lane Goes From Neil Simon to Simon Gray as Butley Reaches Broadway

By Robert Simonson
23 May 2006

Nathan Lane in the Huntington production of Butley
Nathan Lane in the Huntington production of Butley
Photo by T. Charles Erickson

A new production of Simon Gray's Butley, with Nathan Lane in the title role, will reach Broadway's Booth Theatre on Oct. 5. Opening is Oct. 25. Nicholas Martin will direct.

The production has long been expected, and has a history: Nathan Lane starred in a critically acclaimed production of Butley at The Huntington in 2003, also directed by Martin. Producer Elizabeth I. McCann presents the Huntington Theatre Company’s production of the play. Additional producers will be announced later.

No other casting has been announced, but in Boston Lane shared the stage with Benedick Bates, the son of Broadway's original Butley Alan Bates.

The Huntington staging began Oct. 24, 2003, for a run through Nov. 30. Lane played a literary professor who loses his wife and lover in the same day.

Very early in his career, Lane acted in the New York premiere of Gray's The Common Pursuit. It was one of the actor's first critical successes. Lane has long had his eye on Butley. In the mid-90s, a production with Lane was talked about for the Roundabout Theatre Company.

The dark comedy premiered at the Morosco Theatre on Broadway Oct. 31, 1972. British thespian Alan Bates, who originated the title role in the Harold Pinter-directed London production, reprised his portrayal to Tony-Award winning success.

Lane is currently starring on Broadway in The Odd Couple.