CLEVER LITTLE LIES, Starring Marlo Thomas and More, Begins Previews Off-Broadway

Two-time Tony Award-winner Joe DiPietro's critically acclaimed new comedy Clever Little Lies begins previews tonight, September 18th, for a strictly limited 16-week engagement. Opening night is set for Monday, October 12th at the Westside Theatre (Upstairs) (407 West 43rd Street).

As previously announced, Clever Little Lies stars Emmy, Grammy, and Golden Globe Award-winner Marlo Thomas, George Merrick, Greg Mullavey, and Kate Wetherhead, with direction by David Saint.

The design team for Clever Little Lies will include Yoshi Tanokura (Scenic Design), Esther Arroyo (Costume Design), Christopher J. Bailey (Lighting Design), Scott Killian (Sound Design & Composition), and McCorkle Casting (Casting).

A mother always knows when something is wrong. When Alice (Marlo Thomas) notices her beloved husband Bill (Greg Mullavey) has returned home on edge after a tennis match with their son, she grows suspicious and springs into action. Determined to piece together the puzzle, she invites her son, Bill, Jr. (George Merrick) and daughter-in-law, Jane (Kate Wetherhead), over for drinks and dessert. Sidesplitting chaos ensues as Alice digs for the truth, resulting in even more honesty than anyone expected. Shattering and hilarious, Clever Little Lies is a story of long-term love and marriage... for better... and for worse.

CLEVER LITTLE LIES had its world premiere at New Jersey's George Street Playhouse in December 2013, where David Saint serves as Artistic Director. Having played a critically acclaimed sold-out run there, the production featuring the entire original cast had its New York premiere at East Hampton's Guild Hall in July 2014 where it also became an audience and critics' favorite.

Marlo Thomas (Alice) is an award-winning actress, author and activist. She remains a constant presence on television and Broadway, most recently in 2012, in Elaine May's George is Dead, in the Relatively Speaking trilogy. Among her many honors, she has been inducted into the Broadcasting Hall of Fame; and in 2014, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom-the highest civilian honor-by President Barack Obama at a White House ceremony. Ms. Thomas burst onto the scene as television's "That Girl", which broke new ground for independent women, and which she conceived and produced. Her pioneering spirit continued with her creation of Free to Be...You and Me, which became a platinum album, best-selling book and Emmy Award-winning television special, and has produced seven bestselling books. She serves as National Outreach Director of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, which was founded by her father, Danny Thomas, in 1962.

Greg Mullavey (Bill Sr.) made his Broadway debut opposite Mia Farrow and Tony Perkins in Bernard Slade's Romantic Comedy. He also starred in Neil Simon's Rumors and in the National Tour of The Sisters Rosensweig. Off-Broadway credits include last season's Titus Andronicus for the Frog and Peach Theatre Company, A Christmas Carol for Origin Theatre Company, Exit Entrance at 59E59, White Woman Street at Irish Rep, and in The National Jewish Theatre's The Soap Myth. Regional favorites include King Lear at Oklahoma City's Center Theatre, Arthur Miller's The Prince at Minneapolis' Guthrie, The Group Theatre's Names, Proof at Rochester's GEVA; Inherit The Wind at Lancaster's Fulton Opera House, The Cherry Orchard opposite Alfred Molina, and Shaw's Misalliance. Greg has also appeared in hundreds of episodics, MOWs, films, including Gunsmoke, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, The Desperate (Best Actor at the Iowa Short Film Festival), and "iCarly". Greg is best known for his role as Tom Hartman in the '70s TV hit "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman".

Kate Wetherhead (Jane) originated the role of Jane in Clever Little Lies at the George Street Playhouse in 2013, reprising the role at Guild Hall in 2014. She is the co-creator, co-director, writer and star of the web series "Submissions Only" (www.submissionsonly.com). Kate is also the co-author of the children's book series, "Jack & Louisa," published by Penguin Young Readers. Her Broadway credits include The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Legally Blonde. Off-Broadway: The Other Josh Cohen (Drama Desk nominee), Ordinary Days, Tatjana in Color and Sarah, Plain and Tall. Regional highlights include The Heidi Chronicles (The Guthrie Theater), Cabaret (Dallas Theater Center), Company (Buck's County Playhouse) and The Other Josh Cohen (Paper Mill Playhouse.) TV: "The Big C."

George Merrick (Bill Jr.) most recently played several comic roles in the Broadway production of Honeymoon in Vegas. He also appeared in the acclaimed Lincoln Center revival of South Pacific as Lt. Buzz Adams. On Television he has guest starred on "Blue Bloods" and "As the World Turns" and will appear in the upcoming films The Intern (with Robert De Niro) and So Good to See You (with Sienna Miller). He has played roles regionally at The Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Sacramento Music Circus, Syracuse Stage, North Shore, and the Paper Mill Playhouse.

Photo by Matthew Murphy