Astin, Rae, Ziemba Head Cast of Ford’s Leading Ladies

John Astin, Charlotte Rae, and Karen Ziemba head the cast of the Ford’s Theatre production of Ken Ludwig’s comedy Leading Ladies, which will run September 23-October 23. Mark Rucker, best known for helming the Charles Busch film Die, Mommy, Die! will direct the production.

Also in the cast are Remy Auberjonois, Daniel Frith, Patrick Kerr, Lacey Kohl, and Ian Kahn. The production team includes John Coyne (sets), Judith Dolan (costumes), Michael Gilliam (lighting), and John Gromada (sound).

Leading Ladies tells the story of two unemployed Shakespearean actors who concoct a scheme to pose as the long-lost heirs of a wealthy woman. The play has previously been seen at the Cleveland Playhouse and the Alley Theater in Houston. Ludwig’s previous plays include Lend Me a Tenor and Moon Over Buffalo, an adaptation of Twentieth Century, and the books of the musicals Crazy For You and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Astin, best known for his starring role in the 1960s TV series The Addams Family, has appeared on stage in such shows as Tall Story, Ulysses in Nighttown, and A Sleep of Prisoners. Rae’s Broadway credits include Threepenny Opera, The Golden Apple, Pickwick, and Morning, Noon, and Night; the actress earned an Emmy nomination for her role of Mrs. Garrett in the hit TV sitcom The Facts of Life. Ziemba won the Tony, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle awards for her work in Contact; among her other Broadway credits are Never Gonna Dance, Steel Pier, A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, and Crazy For You.