In what one can only hope will be done with, well, panache, Panache opens Feb. 10 with Eric Pierpoint and Lisa Pelikan reprising their Los Angeles roles in the Off-Broadway premiere of the Don Gordon play. Rreviews begam Feb. 1 at the Players Theatre. David A. Cox (Chaim's Love Song) directs, as he did with the original 1999 production at L.A.'s Playhouse Balcony Theatre.
In Panache, Pierpoint plays Harry Baldwin, a down-on-his-luck artist who has given up on life. Pelikan is Kathleen Trafalgar, an eccentric socialite who changes Harry's life, as much as Harry ultimately changes hers, both much for the better. Playwright Gordon's credits include Diversionary Tactics and Normal Doesn't Mean Perfect.
Pierpoint is best known as the star of the "Alien Nation" TV series. Pelikan earned critical kudos for her recent performance as Zelda Fitzgerald in Only a Broken String of Pearls. Other credits include the film "Julia" with Vanessa Redgrave.
Also in the cast are James Benjamin Cooper, Jillian McWhirter and Wesley Thompson.
Tickets are $35 and are available by calling (212) 239-6200. The Players Theatre is located at 115 Macdougal Street.
-- By Christine Ehren
and Willard Manus