Marlo Thomas — of "That Girl" fame — will head the cast of the new work, which is scheduled to begin performances at the New Jersey venue April 8 with an official opening April 11. Playwright May will also direct the production, which will run through May 11.
In a statement George Street artistic director David Saint said, "It is only fitting that, as we began the season with two great men of comedy – Jack Klugman and Paul Dooley – that we end the season with two great ladies of comedy: the brilliantly talented writer/director and comedienne Elaine May and 'That Girl' Marlo Thomas. I have long been a fan of Elaine May, beginning with her hilarious partnership with Mike Nichols. In addition, I had the huge honor of directing her and Gene Saks — actors — years ago at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Marlo Thomas in addition to being an amazing actress, is an amazing human being, and I am so pleased she will be coming to George Street. I am thrilled to welcome Ms. May and Ms. Thomas to the George Street family."
In Roger Is Dead, press notes state, "Marlo Thomas stars as Doreen, a vapid Manhattan socialite who has just lost her husband. She has no one to turn to except Carla, the daughter of Doreen's favorite nanny. It's not that Doreen and Carla are friends – it's just that Doreen doesn't have any real friends, so she turns to the most real person she knows. Politics, death, love and classes collide in this boisterous comedy from the pen of this two-time Academy Award nominee."
Marlo Thomas — of television's "That Girl" and (Jennifer Aniston's mom on) "Friends" — has appeared on the Broadway stage in The Shadow Box, Social Security and Thieves. Other credits include The Vagina Monologues, Six Degrees of Separation, The Exonerated, The Guys and Paper Doll. Thomas also created the "Free To Be...You and Me" TV specials, books and records.
Elaine May began in The Second City where she formed a successful partnership with Mike Nichols. The two appeared in clubs, on TV and on Broadway. After their split, May earned a Drama Desk Award for her play Adaptation, a one-act which she directed along with Terrence McNally's Next. She wrote, directed and starred in her first film, "A New Leaf" with Walter Matthau. She wrote and directed "Mikey & Nicky," starring Peter Falk and John Cassavetes. She directed "The Heartbreak Kid" and received an Oscar nomination for the screenplay of "Heaven Can Wait." After the Night and the Music, May's trio of comedies, premiered on Broadway in 2005. George Street Playhouse is located in New Brunswick, NJ. Tickets, priced $28-$64, are available by calling (732) 246-7717. For more information visit www.gsponline.org.
