Although they call it "Labor Day Weekend," lots of shows traditionally finish their labors at the end of August, making room for the new crop of fall productions.
Here's the rundown of shows running down the weekend of Aug. 30-Sept. 1:
Broadway
A Doll's House -- This multi-Tony winning revival of Henrik Ibsen's landmark drama, featuring Janet McTeer as Nora, ends its run Sept. 1 with a special Actors Fund performance. For tickets to the remaining shows and benefit call (212) 239-6200.
The Gin Game -- After 20 previews and 144 regular performances, D.L. Coburn's Pulitzer-winning comedy/drama closes at the Lyceum Theatre. This National Actors Theatre mounting, starring Julie Harris and Charles Durning, ends Aug. 31. For tickets call (212) 239-6200.
Off-Broadway
On The Town -- George C. Wolfe's revival of Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden & Adolph Green's valentine to New York ends Aug. 31, after beginning previews Aug. 1 and opening Aug. 17. A few more weeks will tell whether the NYSF Shakespeare In The Park production will come to Broadway later this season.
Full Gallop -- Since Oct. 2, 1996, audiences at the Westside Theatre have spent two scintillating hours in the company of Diana Vreeland, in the person of author/star, Mary Louise Wilson. The show closes, however, Aug. 30, with a tour to follow. For tickets call (212) 239-6200.
The Last Session -- Likely to return in some form this season, this musical by Jim Brochu, with music and lyrics by Steve Schalchlin, closes at the Currican Theatre Aug. 31. Based on the true story of Schalchlin's battle with AIDS (which became international news when he started keeping a daily website diary of his life), the show takes place in a recording studio as a "pository" musician hopes to leave a last musical legacy for his lover. For tickets call (212) 736-2533.
A Lullaby For Murder -- A murder mystery set in Hell's Kitchen, from prolific Off-Broadway playwright Le Wilhem. This Love Creek production, directed by Sharon Fallon, ends Aug. 30 at the Harold Clurman Theatre, (212) 769-7973.
Regional
Proposals -- Neil Simon's latest comedy/drama runs through Aug, 31 at the Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles, CA and will then come to Phoenix, AZ, Sept. 3-11, as the next stop on its Broadway-bound launch. Ron Rifkin currently stars but will be replaced by Dick Latessa when the show reaches New Haven in mid-September. Joe Mantello directs.
Company -- Out goes Company -- Stephen Sondheim's landmark musical ends its oft-extended revival run at Hollywood's West Coast Ensemble, Aug. 31. For tickets to that production, directed by Jules Aaron, call (213) 525-0022.
The Dragon And The Pearl -- Valerie Harper, best known as TV's "Rhoda," recreates her one-woman show about Pearl S. Buck, at Hartford, CT's TheatreWorks, July 25-Aug. 31. An Off-Broadway mounting is planned.
The Lion King -- Julie Taymor's stage adaptation of the Disney animated film finishes its pre-Broadway tryout, Aug. 31, at the Orpheum Theatre in Minneapolis, MN. Broadway previews begin Oct. 15 at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
Love, Janis -- playing through Aug. 31 at the Zachary Scott Theatre Center in Austin, TX, the show features two actresses portraying the late rock star, Janis Joplin: Andra Mitrovich, as the soulful singer; and Catherine Curtin as the private woman, who talks to us through Janis' letters. For tickets call (512) 476-0541.
Sylvia -- Kellie Waymire stars in this west coast mounting of A.R. Gurney's hit comedy, about a dog who has a little too much sway over her master. The show ends at Marines Memorial Theatre in San Francisco, CA, Aug. 31. For tickets call (415) 771-6900.
Canada
Ragtime -- Stephen Flaherty & Lynn Ahrens' musicalization of E.L. Doctorow's novel will end its triumphant Toronto premiere Aug. 31, in preparation for a Jan. 18, 1998 Broadway opening at the new Ford Centre on 42nd St.
--By David Lefkowitz
