Ivey, Gray, Ovenden, Etc. to Join Lane in Broadway's Butley

More casting has been announced for the upcoming Broadway production of Simon Gray's comedy Butley.  Dana Ivey, Pamela Gray, Julian Ovenden and James McMenamin will join previously-announced star Nathan Lane in the show, which will open at the Booth Theatre (222 W. 45th St.) on October 25th.

Directed by Nicholas Martin, the limited run will begin previews on October 5th. Elizabeth I. McCann et al present the Huntington Theatre Company's production of the play.  Martin (Hedda Gabler) is that theatre's artistic director.

Lane starred in a critically acclaimed production of Butley at The Huntington in 2003, also directed by Nicholas Martin. The design team is: Alexander Dodge (set), Ann Roth (costumes), David Weiner (lighting) and John Gromada (sound).

"Butley is a dark comedy about a literary professor who loses his wife and lover in the same day," according to press notes. It was mounted on Broadway in 1972 and also made into a film, both starring Alan Bates.

Ivey received a Tony nomination for her role as Mrs. Kitty Warren in The Rivals, and was also recently seen Off-Broadway in Mrs. Warren's Profession.  Her extensive Broadway credits include and Henry IV, A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, Major Barbara, The Last Night of Ballyhoo, Indiscretions, Sunday in the Park with George, Heartbreak House, Present Laughter and Macbeth. Among her film credits are Legally Blonde 2, Mumford, Simon Birch, Addams Family Values, The Addams Family, Heartburn and The Color Purple.

Gray has been seen Off-Broadway in Hard Feelings.  Her film and TV credits include "Law and Order: Criminal Intent," Corn, I'll Take You There, The Stranger, The Devil's Advocate, Commandments and Sudden Manhattan.  She was also seen in Butley at the Huntington.

Ovenden recently played the Baron in the Donmar Warehouse revival of Grand Hotel, and has also been seen on London stages in Merrily We Roll Along, A Woman of No Importance and King Lear.  TV and film credits include "Related," "A Christmas Carol," and "Foyle's War."

McMenamin has recently been seen in BFE at Playwrights Horizons. Other New York credits include The Green Stockings at Urban Stages and Joan at the Endurance Theatre.

Nathan Lane--currently on Broadway in The Odd Couple--is the winner of two Tony Awards, for his performances in The Producers and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He also starred on Broadway in Guys and Dolls, Love! Valour! Compassion! , The Frogs, and Laughter on the 23rd Floor. The movie musical version of The Producers and The Bird Cage are among his film credits.

Simon Gray's plays include Otherwise Engaged, The Common Pursuit, Quartermaine?s Terms, The Holy Terror and Wise Child.

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