Beginning July 3, the musical at the Walter Kerr Theatre will offer Thursday matinees at 3 PM instead of 8 PM Wednesday performances.
In a statement Fierstein said, "We seem to be morphing into a cult show for women over forty. So why not accommodate them by adding another matinee? You want to see our show? We'll make sure you can. We love our audience and they love us!"
Matinees have played to 95 percent capacity since the musical began performances on March 25. Fierstein added, "We know who our audience is and they love the show. We have sold out our matinees practically from day one. We have a show that treats the subject of marriage and family in a funny and heartbreaking way not to be found in any other show around and the matinee ladies, the backbone of Broadway, have found their way to our theatre, hankies in hand, and are seeing the show time and time again. It's amazing."
The schedule, effective July 3, will be Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday at 2 PM, Thursday at 2 and 8 PM, Friday at 8 PM, Saturday at 2 and 8 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.
* Fierstein, who was last on Broadway in the revival of Fiddler on the Roof, stars in the small cast opposite Tony winner Faith Prince as Aggie Hurley (mother of the bride), Tom Wopat as Tom Hurley (father of the bride), Leslie Kritzer as Janey Hurley (the bride) and Matt Cavenaugh as Ralph Halloran (the groom). Also in the company are Philip Hoffman (Mr. Halloran and Sam), Katie Klaus (Alice and Army Sergeant), Heather MacRae (Delores and the Caterer), Lori Wilner (Mrs. Halloran) and Kristine Zbornik (Myra and the Dress Saleswoman). Jennifer Allen, Britta Ollmann and Matthew Scott are understudies.
The marriage-minded musical (based on the Paddy Chayefsky TV film and movie) features a score by John Bucchino and direction by Tony winner John Doyle, who helmed the actor-musician Broadway revivals of Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd and Company. Constantine Kitsopoulos is the show's musical director; orchestrations were penned by Jonathan Tunick.
The design team comprises David Gallo (sets), Ann Hould-Ward (costumes), Brian MacDevitt (lights), Dan Moses Schreier (sound), Zachary Borovay (projections) and David Lawrence (hair).
According to press notes, "Funny, heartbreaking and oh so human, A Catered Affair reveals relationships strained to their limits when a couple must decide whether to spend their life savings on a family business or to launch their only daughter's marriage with a lavish catered affair. Harvey Fierstein's book and John Bucchino's score seize the opportunity to explore the meaning of family and the need for love, both new and reawakened."
The musical is based on the Turner Entertainment motion picture distributed by Warner Brothers and written by Gore Vidal, and the original teleplay by Paddy Chayefsky.
A Catered Affair is produced on Broadway by Jujamcyn Theaters, Jordan Roth, Harvey Entertainment/Ron Fierstein, Richie Jackson, Daryl Roth, John O'Boyle/Ricky Stevens/Davis-Tolentino, Barbra Russell/Ron Sharpe in association with the Frankel-Baruch-Viertel-Routh Group, Broadway Across America, True Love Productions, Rick Steiner/Mayerson-Bell-Staton-Osher Group, Jan Kallish, Stacey Mindich and Rhoda Mayerson.
The musical's cast recording was recently released on the PS Classics label.
Tickets, priced $29.50-$119.50 with premium seats for $179.50 and $199.50, are available by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.telecharge.com.
The Walter Kerr Theatre is located in Manhattan at 219 West 48th Street.
