The Center Theatre Group production, which began previews Nov. 16 and continues to Dec. 21, is directed by the play's Broadway shepherd, Scott Ellis.
White won the 2007 Best Actress Tony playing sharky talent agent Diane, who wants to keep her gay Hollywood-star client, Mitchell, in the closet. In the New York production, Galecki (TV's "Roseanne," "The Big Bang Theory") played Alex, the new lover of the star. Galecki returns to the part that won him a Theatre World Award on Broadway.
The New York City world premiere was produced by Second Stage Theatre. The production moved to Broadway's Cort Theatre, where Tom Everett Scott played Mitchell (Neal Huff created the role Off-Broadway at Second Stage).
Also featured in the L.A. run of the satire of Hollywood personalities are Brian Henderson (who was the Alex/Mitchell understudy on Broadway) and Zoe Lister-Jones (who created the girlfriend role of Ellen in the play's premiere at Second Stage; Ari Graynor played the role on Broadway).
* According to CTG, "Julie White reprises her Tony Award-winning performance, portraying the brash, fast-talking Hollywood agent Diane, whose client (Henderson) has a chance to make it to superstar status, if only he stays in the closet. A sweet, sexy man (Galecki) enters his life and makes the ruse difficult, even as this new love interest has complications of its own — a naïve, needy girlfriend (Lister-Jones). But nothing derails Diane in her pursuit of power and money as she skillfully and hilariously manipulates all within her reach. With twists and turns that keep audiences guessing, The Little Dog Laughed cleverly reflects America's celebrity-obsessed culture."
The comedy was nominated for a 2007 Tony Award as Best Play. Beane was Tony-nominated in 2008 for Best Book, for the musical Xanadu (its national tour launches soon, following its current run at La Jolla Playhouse). Among his current projects is a stage musical version of the film "The Band Wagon."
The Little Dog creative team includes Allen Moyer (set design), Jeff Mahshie (costume design), Donald Holder (lighting design) and Lewis Flinn (original music and sound). The production stage manager is Greg Livoti.
Tickets for The Little Dog Laughed are available by calling (213) 628-2772, or visiting www.CenterTheatreGroup.org or the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre or two hours prior to performances at the Kirk Douglas Theatre box office.
The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd., in Culver City, CA.
