While the Broadway revival of The Real Thing racks up awards and accolades in New York City, Houston's Alley Theatre will be mounting their own version of the Tom Stoppard play May 19-June 18 on the main stage. Alley artistic director Gregory Boyd directs.

In The Real Thing, the real thing -- aka love -- is explored through successful playwright Henry, who always has the right words for his often adulterous characters, but can't seem to find them again when his own relationships turn sour and complicate. Stoppard also penned the Tony Award winners Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Travesties.

John Feltch, in his 10th season at the Alley, stars as Henry. Also in the cast are John Tyson as Max, Kate Levy (An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf) as Charlotte, Elizabeth Heflin (Broadway's The Government Inspector, The Odd Couple) as Annie, Jonthan Scarfe as Billy, Laura Heisler as Debbie and Robert Ross as Brodie.

Designing The Real Thing are Neil Patel (sets), Karyl Newman (costumes), Pat Collins (lighting) and Malcolm Nicholls (sound).

Tickets are $42-$37 and are available by calling the Alley box office at (713) 228-9341 ext. 350. The Alley Theatre is on the web at http://www.alleytheatre.com.