The production, which will be staged in the Irene Diamond Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center, will run Aug. 20-Sept. 29. Opening night is Sept. 12.
As previously reported, the cast will be led by Tony winner Betty Buckley (Sunset Boulevard, Cats) as Gertrude Hayhurst Sylvester Ratliff, Tony nominee Hallie Foote (The Orphans' Home Cycle, Dividing the Estate) as Sibyl Borden and Tony nominee Lois Smith (Heartless, The Trip to Bountiful) as Mamie Borden.
Directed by Michael Wilson, the three artists will be joined by Tony nominee Veanne Cox (A Free Man of Color, La Cage aux Folles) as Julia Price, Adam LeFevre (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as Albert Price, Sean Lyons (The Best Man) as Tom Underwood, Novella Nelson (It's Kind of a Funny Story, Purlie) as Hattie, Melle Powers ("Chappelle's Show") as Catherine and Cotter Smith (Next Fall) as Howard Ratliff.
"Matriarch Mamie Borden and the remaining members of two longtime Texas farming families await a visit from Mamie's son Hugo and his wife Sybil," press notes state. "When Sybil arrives with alarming news, old friends on opposing sides must confront the issues surrounding legacy, loyalty, and the meaning of happiness that have hounded them for generations."
Horton Foote's work has been produced at Signature Theatre in previous seasons. He was the fourth playwright-in-residence during its 1994-95 season. Signature Theatre also produced the world premiere of The Last of the Thorntons in its 2000-01 season and The Trip to Bountiful, featuring Smith, in the 2005-06 season. During the 2009-10 season, Signature Theatre co-produced the world premiere of the three-part The Orphans' Home Cycle, featuring Hallie Foote, with Hartford Stage. The creative team of The Old Friends includes Jeff Cowie (scenic design), David C. Woolard (costume design), Rui Rita (lighting design), John Gromada (sound design), Paul Huntley (wig and hair design), Gillian Lane-Plesica (dialect coach) and Mark Olsen (fight director). Casting is by Telsey + Company, William Cantler CSA, and Cole P. Bonenberger is production stage manager.
The 2013-14 season at Signature Theatre consists entirely of plays receiving world or New York-premiere productions.
Subscriptions to Signature Theatre and tickets to individual productions can be purchased by calling the Signature Theatre Box Office at (212) 244-7529 or by visiting signaturetheatre.org.
