Theater News

Jason Alexander, Faith Prince, Megan Hilty, et al. Set for Two By Two Reading

Jason Alexander
Jason Alexander

Reprise Theatre Company has announced additional details for its celebration of composer Richard Rodgers, which will run in venues all over Los Angeles through November 2.

The festival will conclude with a staged reading of Rodgers’ Broadway musical Two by Two starring Jason Alexander, Faith Prince, Megan Hilty, Steven Weber, Vicki Lewis, David Burnham, and Amir Talai (November 1-2).

Highlights of the celebration will also include a special screening of the film version of South Pacific with special guest Mitzi Gaynor (October 15); Rodgers & Hart & Hammerstein, a new musical revue that will feature Richard Bermudez, Sarah Bermudez, Terry Bibb, Susanne Blakeslee, and Michael Kostrof (October 18); A Grand Night for Dancing, an evening of dance choreographed by Lee Marino, which will feature Jeffry Denman, Meg Gillentine, Kim Mikesell, Candy Olsen, John Todd, and Sal Vassallo (October 22-23); and Nothin’ Like A Dame, a musical tribute starring Karen Morrow, Kaye Ballard, Charmian Carr, Nancy Dussault, Patricia Morison, Marni Nixon and Constance Towers (October 25).

The company’s 2010 season will commence with Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel (January 26-February 7), based on a story by Ferenc Molnar, and revolving around the star crossed love affair between Billy Bigelow, a travelling carnival man, and Julie Jordan, a mill worker. Michael Michetti will direct, with choreography by Lee Martino.

Next up will be A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum (March 16-28), inspired by the farces of the ancient Roman playwright Plautus, and featuring a book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. David Lee will direct.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (May 11-23) will follow, telling the story of J. Pierpont Finch, a New York City window washer, who takes the advice of a how-to-succeed book, and quickly ascends the corporate ladder with hilarious results. It features a book by Abe Burrows, Jack Weinstock, and Willie Gilbert and music and lyrics by Frank Loesser.

For more information, visit www.reprise.org.