Let's Make an American Plan!

Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Patricia Clarkson, Donna Murphy, Victoria Clark, Cherry Jones, Sarah Paulson, and Orfeh join Mercedes Ruehl, Lily Rabe and company for the opening of MTC's The American Plan.

By Joseph Marzullo,Brian Scott Lipton • Jan 23, 2009 • New York

On Thursday night, Manhattan Theatre Club opened its production of The American Plan at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Celebrating after the show at the Hard Rock Cafe were cast members Austin Lysy, Kieran Campion, Brenda Pressley, Lily Rabe, and Mercedes Ruehl.

Playwright Richard Greenberg has had many of his works produced by MTC, including a 1990 Off-Broadway production of The American Plan.

The show's director, David Grindley, was previously represented on Broadway by Journey's End and Pygmalion.

Opening night brought out a slew of Tony Award winners, including Matthew Broderick -- who will return to Broadway this season in The Philanthropist, who was joined by his celebrated wife, Sarah Jessica Parker, who is gearing up for a sequel to the megasuccessful Sex and the City movie.

Donna Murphy, who starred in MTC's LoveMusik, is currently filming the new TNT series Trust Me, which debuts on Monday, January 26.

Victoria Clark -- who co-starred with Murphy in the City Center Encores! production of Follies -- will star in the Collegiate Chorale's The Firebrand of Florence.

Four-time Tony winner Boyd Gaines, who starred in Grindley's Journey's End, is finally getting to rest after the recent closing of Gypsy.

Here's another member of the Journey's End cast: the extraordinary Jefferson Mays.

Here are Cherry Jones, who's currently playing the President of the United States on FOX's 24, and Sarah Paulson, who's filming the new TV series Cupid with Bobby Cannavale.

The peerless Marian Seldes will be honored by the Vineyard Theatre at their annual benefit on February 9.

The fabulous Orfeh, who will appear on January 25 at the Sunday Salon with Valerie Smaldone, came with handsome husband Andy Karl, who will co-star in the upcoming Broadway musical 9 to 5.

The always busy Patricia Clarkson, who starred in the original MTC production of Greenberg's Three Days of Rain, can be seen on the big screen in Vicky Cristina Barcelona.

The superb jazz singer and pianist Peter Cincotti recently released a new CD East of Angel Town and will perform selections from it at Joe's Pub on January 26 and at Borders Columbus Circle on January 27.

The sublime Judy Blazer will perform next month at NYC's Metropolitan Room.

Finally, here's the tireless Joan Rivers, who is currently promoting her two new books: Men Are Stupid... And They Like Big Boobs... A Woman's Guide to Beauty Through Plastic Surgery and Murder at the Academy Awards.

For TheaterMania's review of The American Plan, click here.