The show opened on October 12th at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 W. 45th St.). Its limited engagement was scheduled to play through January 2nd, 2011.
A Life in the Theatre is directed by Neil Pepe, who directed the acclaimed revival of Mamet's Speed-The-Plow on Broadway last season, and features scenic design by Santo Loquasto (Race, Glengarry Glen Ross, American Buffalo), lighting design by Kenneth Posner (The Coast of Utopia, Wicked, Hairspray), and costume design by Laura Bauer (Talk Radio, Glengarry Glen Ross, Talk Radio).
A Life in the Theatre made its world premiere at The Goodman Theatre in Chicago in February of 1977 with Mike Nussbaum and Joe Mantegna and directed by Gregory Mosher. The play first opened off-Broadway on October 20, 1977 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre and ran for 288 performances. That production was directed by Gerald Gutierrez and starred Peter Evans and Ellis Rabb.
Describing life in the footlights from an actor's point of view, A Life in the Theatre focuses on the relationship between two thespians: Robert, an older, experienced performer; and John, a relative newcomer. Though Robert's guidance is welcomed by John at first, as the play progresses Robert falters as an actor and mentor, and John emerges as a mature actor. Mamet was inspired to write A Life in the Theatre by what he had observed backstage as well as by his own experiences in his early career as an actor.
A Life in the Theatre is produced on Broadway by Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Steve Traxler andDebbie Bisno & Eva Price.
