Cassidy Replaces Weber & Thompson Joins Reprise's 'I Love My Wife'

The 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season continues with "I Love My Wife" with book and lyrics by Michael Stewart and music by Cy Coleman, December 2 to 14 at the Brentwood Theatre. Lea Thompson and Patrick Cassidy join Vicki Lewis and Jason Alexander. Cassidy replaces previously announced Steven Weber. Jason Alexander, Artistic Director of Reprise Theatre Company, says "We regret the loss of Steven Weber, who has had to pull out due to unexpected scheduling conflicts. However, we are thrilled that he will be so ably replaced by my old friend, Patrick Cassidy." "I Love My Wife" will be directed by Larry Moss and choreographed by Lee Martino.

"I Love My Wife" will perform Tuesday, December 2 through Sunday, December 14 (press opening December 3) at the Brentwood Theatre. For tickets, please call the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310/825-2101 or visit www.reprise.org.

"I Love My Wife" is a musical with book and lyrics by two of the great veterans of musical theatre -- Michael Stewart ("Bye Bye Birdie," "Carnival," "Hello, Dolly!", "George M!", "Mack and Mabel," "42nd Street.") and music by Cy Coleman ("Wildcat," "Little Me," "Sweet Charity," "Seesaw," "On the 20th Century," "Barnum," "City of Angels," "The Will Rogers Follies" and "The Life") - with the most up to date 1977 theme - wife swapping (the title, however, gives away the show's true sentiments) - and an even more up to date novelty.

The show placed the band on stage, and made them a Greek chorus to the two couples. It dressed them up, gave them their own songs, let them comment on the action, and even made them the action.

The score runs the gamut -country and western, marching band, blues, and barrelhouse; everything except rock. Martin Gottfried in the New York Post said, "A thoroughly disarming entertainment. I can't see the harm in a healthy, well-adjusted, sentimental and cheerful musical about sex and marriage."

"I Love My Wife" plants its feet in its present - the seventies -- unfolding on Christmas Eve in suburban Trenton, New Jersey, where two married couples who have been close friends since high school find themselves contemplating a ménage-à-quatre. Walter Kerr in the New York Times said, "Then there's another good excuse for liking 'I Love My Wife,' and even for thinking of it as a fairly daring departure: it's funny."

The original producers rushed to open the show - so as to open before "Annie" and "Side by Side by Sondheim." After seven previews, the Broadway production, directed by Gene Saks and choreographed by Onna White, opened on April 17, 1977 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, where it ran for 857 performances. The original cast included James Naughton, Joanna Gleason, Lenny Baker and Ilene Graff. During the show's run, cast replacements included Tom and Dick Smothers, Tom Wopat, Janie Sell, and in an African American version, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs and Hattie Winston.

The West End production opened on October 6, 1977 at the Prince of Wales Theatre, where it ran for 401 performances. It was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Musical of the Year.

"I Love My Wife" is the second attraction of the 2008-2009 Reprise Theatre Company season and will perform December 2 to 14 at the Brentwood Theatre. Flex and three show subscriptions are available now online at www.reprise.org or the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310/825-2101. Single tickets for "I Love My Wife" will go on sale September 23rd.

Larry Moss, who studied his craft with Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner and Warren Robertson, directs "I Love My Wife." He began his career at New York' s famed cabaret Upstairs at the Downstairs and went on to appear on Broadway in numerous productions including Joe Layton's "Drat! The Cat!," Neil Simon's "God's Favorite," directed by Michael Bennett, Burt Shevelove's "So Long 174th Street," Gerald Freedman's "The Robber Bridgegroom," and Gene Saks' "I Love My Wife."

After teaching in New York at Julliard and Circle in the Square, where he was musical director for eight years, Larry moved to Los Angeles and founded The Larry Moss Studio. It was at the studio that he directed and developed "The Syringa Tree," an original piece written and performed by Pamela Gien, which had its world premiere at Seattle ACT Rep. The Syringa Tree opened in New York in September 2000 and won the Obie Award for Best Play of 2001, the Drama Desk Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award For Outstanding Solo Performance. Larry went on to direct the TV Version of "The Syringa Tree."

Larry coached Helen Hunt in "As Good As It Gets "(Academy Award); Hilary Swank in "Boys Don't Cry" (Academy Award); Michael Clarke Duncan in "The Green Mile" (Academy Award Nomination), and Hank Azaria in "Tuesdays With Morrie" (Emmy Award). In 1998, he directed the award-winning short film "Dos Corazones."

Choreographer Lee Martino is thrilled to be back at Reprise Theatre Company having choreographed last season's "L'il Abner" and "Damn Yankees." Lee also choreographed "On Your Toes," "Brigadoon" and "On the Town," for Reprise (all Ovation nominations for choreography), and directed several concerts for Reprise including "Reprise! Broadway's Best" and "Broadway Babies," both at the Ford Theatre. Recent work includes "Beehive" at the El Portal Theatre (2007 LADCC nominee for choreography), "The Full Monty" and the critically acclaimed West Coast Premiere of "Never Gonna Dance" for Musical Theatre West (2005 Ovation Award winner).

Other recent credits include: "I Do, I Do" (Pasadena Playhouse), "Wild Party" (MTG), "Grease" for Civic Light Opera of South Bay Cities (Ovation Award nominee), "Side by Side by Sondheim" at the Pasadena Playhouse (Ovation Nomination,) direction and choreography for several large-scale dance production shows for Harley-Davidson in Denver, San Diego, and Dallas; Universal Studios' "New York Rascal Show," and Disney's "Santa Clause 3" Stage Show at the El Capitan.

Lee choreographs for several charities including: The Alzheimer's Association, The Actor's Fund, S.T.A.G.E., and Children's Hospital of Orange County. Television and Film Credits include: NBC's "Hit Me Baby One More Time," the WB's "What I Like About You," Nickelodeon's "All That," Warner Bros.' animated feature "The King and I," and Sony Pictures' "Dark Wolf. "Lee is a proud member of SSDC and holds an MFA in dance.

About The Cast

Jason Alexander is proud to be serving as Artistic Director for Reprise Theatre Company and is delighted to be working with its wonderful staff and Board of Directors. Jason is probably best known for his 9 year, award-winning stint as George Costanza on the hit TV series, "Seinfeld." However, those who know him only as George will be surprised to learn of his extensive background as an actor, director, producer, and writer. Besides "Seinfeld," his television credits include: "Bob Patterson" (prod./co-creator); "Listen Up" (prod.); the TV films of "Bye Bye Birdie," "The Man Who Saved Christmas," "Cinderella," and "A Christmas Carol"; guest appearances on "Newhart," "Friends," "Monk," "Star Trek-Voyager," "Malcolm in the Middle," "Curb Your Enthusiasm" and multiple episodes of the animated series "Duckman," "Aladdin," "Dilbert," and "Dinosaurs." His film credits include: "Pretty Woman," "White Palace," "North," "Dunston Checks In," "Love, Valor, Compassion," "Rocky and Bullwinkle," and "Ira and Abby." Jason has starred on Broadway in the original companies of "Merrily We Roll Along," "The Rink," "Broadway Bound," "Accomplice," and "Jerome Robbins' Broadway," for which he won the Tony, Outer Critics, and Drama Desk Awards as Best Actor in a Musical. He also authored the libretto of the show which received the Tony Award for Best Musical. On the L.A. stage, Jason has starred in "Give 'Em Hell; Harry," "Defiled," the long-running hit of "The Producers" with Martin Short and the very first Reprise! production, "Promises, Promises." Jason has directed in every medium: Television ("Seinfeld," "Remember WENN," "Campus Ladies," "Everybody Hates Chris"); Film ("For Better or Worse" and "Just Looking") and Stage ("The God of Hell" at the Geffen; "Sunday In the Park With George" and the newly adapted "Damn Yankees" at Reprise and countless benefits). Jason produced the films, "Agent Cody Banks" and its sequel as well as the TV special "Ultimate Trek." He has also authored the children's book, "Dad, Are You the Tooth Fairy?" He has won the title of Parlour Magician of the Year at the prestigious Magic Castle and he is a noted player in the celebrity poker circuit. Jason resides in L.A. with his wife Daena and their children, Gabriel and Noah.

Patrick Cassidy appeared on Broadway as Julian Marsh in "42nd Street," Elton John's "Aida" (as well as the national tour for which he won the 2002 National Broadway Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Touring Musical), "Annie Get Your Gun," "Pirates of Penzance" and "Leader of the Pack." He originated the role of the Balladeer in Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins" at Playwrights Horizons and appeared in "Lady in the Dark" at City Center's Encores! National tours include Joseph in "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat " in 2000 and most recently in 2006. Regionally he has been seen in "Conrack" (Helen Hayes nomination) at Ford's Theatre, "Martin Guerre" at the Hartford Stage, and "The End of the Day" at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Los Angeles appearances include: "Threepenny Opera" for Reprise (Garland Award for Best Actor in a Musical); Bobby in "Company" with Carol Burnett; "Love Letters," and "Assassins" (LATC). Other theatre credits include "The Robber Bridegroom," "Little Shop of Horrors," and "Camelot." His films include "Longtime Companion," "I'll Do Anything," "I Won't Dance" and "Burning Love." He starred in the TV miniseries "Dress Grey" (Emmy nomination) and "Napoleon & Josephine ;" TV movies-of-the-week "Oklahoma City," "Something in Common," "Christmas Eve," "How the West Was Fun" and "Follow Your Heart." Series regular on NBC's "Bay City Blues," CBS's "Dirty Dancing," HBO's "Perversions of Science" and the WB's "Smallville." He has guest starred on "Law & Order SVU" "Crossing Jordan" "Without a Trace" "According to Jim" and was just seen on "CSI Miami" and "ER". Patrick has just completed his One Man show entitled "Just Act Normal". Through music and stories he reflects growing up in a home where every single person around the dinner table is in Show Business.

Vicki Lewis most recently starred for Reprise in "My One and Only" and "City of Angels" and recently appeared on Broadway as Velma Kelly in the revival of "Chicago" as well as performing the role at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. She also starred on Broadway in numerous productions including "Pal Joey," the Tony nominated "Damn Yankees" and "The Crucible." Vicki performed as a soloist with the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall under the direction of Skitch Henderson. She appears on the original cast recordings of "Pal Joey" and "Damn Yankees" as well as "Unsung Irving Berlin," Gershwin's "Girl Crazy," "Zing A Little Bing" and "A Broadway Christmas." She appeared with Garrison Keillor at the Brooklyn Academy Of Music. She voices characters for "King of the Hill," "Rugrats," "The Wild Thornberries," "An Extremely Goofy Movie," "Mission Hill" and the animated series "Betsy's Kindergarten Adventures." Vicki is also the voice of Deb and Flo in Pixar's animated blockbuster "Finding Nemo." Vicki starred as Beth on NBC's "Newsradio" for six seasons and as Nora on NBC's "Three Sisters" for three seasons. She had recurring roles on "Seinfeld", "Home Improvement" "Grace Under Fire" and "Norm," and guest starred on "Caroline in the City," "Murphy Brown," "The Five Mrs. Buchanan's" and "Phenom." She also starred in the made for television movies "Bye Bye Birdie" and the "Huntress." Her feature film work includes starring roles in "Mousehunt," "Godzilla," "Pushing Tin," "I'll Do Anything" and "Breakfast of Champions."

Lea Thompson has established a career that encompasses film, television and theater, moving easily between dramatic and comedic roles. However, she is best known for her role as Caroline in the NBC smash sitcom "Caroline in the City" and her work in the successful trilogy of the "Back to the Future" films. Initially cast in a series of commercials for Burger King and Twix, the actress's motion picture debut came in "Jaws 3-D." Her next role was that of Lisa Lietske, Tom Cruise's girfriend in "All the Right Moves," which brought her to the attention of critics and audiences alike. That part led to a challenging role in the film "Red Dawn," in which she played a teenage guerilla fighter helping to fend off a Russian invasion of the United States. It was her appearance in Universal's "The Wild Life" which brought the actress to the attention of Robert Zemeckis, who cast her as Lorraine in "Back to the Future." She went on to star in feature films such as "Some Kind of Wonderful," "Space Camp," "Howard the Duck," "Casual Sex?" and "Dennis the Menace." Thompson's theater work includes "Cabaret" on Broadway, and locally, "Bus Stop" at the Pasadena Playhouse and "The Illusion" at the Los Angeles Theater Company.

About Reprise Theatre Company

Since its inception in 1997, Reprise Theatre Company has been a focus of the Los Angeles musical theatre community, producing productions of great American musicals, and a wide variety off concerts, staged-readings, special events and outreach programs. In May 2007, Jason Alexander became Artistic Director and he was joined by Susan Dietz, Producing Director.

Since its inaugural production of Burt Bacharach and Hal David's "Promises, Promises," which starred Mr. Alexander, Reprise has brought to the stage vibrant productions from all eras of American musical theatre including the Gershwins' "Of Thee I Sing" and "Strike Up the Band," Cole Porter's "Anything Goes," and Rodgers and Hart's "The Boys from Syracuse" and "Babes in Arms," as well as Richard Rodgers' later "No Strings." The "Golden Era" has been well represented - Burton Lane and E.Y. Harburg with "Finian's Rainbow," Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe with "Brigadoon," Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden and Adolph Green with "On the Town" and "Wonderful Town," Irving Berlin with "Call Me Madam," Robert Wright and George Forrest with "Kismet," both of the Richard Adler and Jerry Ross musicals "The Pajama Game" and "Damn Yankees," Johnny Mercer and Gene dePaul with "Li'l Abner," Jule Styne with "Bells are Ringing," and Frank Loesser with "The Most Happy Fella."

Musical theatre reached a new peak of popularity in the sixties, along with new creative talents, and Reprise has presented shows by many of them including Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick with "She Loves Me," Gerome Ragni, James Rado and Galt MacDermot's "Hair," Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone with "1776," Charles Adams and Lee Strouse with "Applause," Stephen Schwartz with "Pippin," Cy Coleman with "On the Twentieth Century" (libretto by Betty Comden and Adolph Green) and "City of Angels" (lyrics by David Zippel), Jerry Herman with "Mack and Mabel," and three Stephen Sondheim musicals - "Company," "Sweeney Todd," and "Sunday in the Park with George."

Many of the great stage performers working today, as well as those who make their residence in primarily in Los Angeles, have appeared in Reprise shows including Scott Bakula, Christine Baranski, Brent Barrett, Orson Bean, Jodi Benson, Stephen Bogardus, Dan Butler, Len Cariou, Carolee Carmello, Vicki Carr, Anthony Crivello, Jason Danielely, Lea Delaria, Clevant Derricks, Manoel Feliciano, Rodney Gilfry, Kelsey Grammer, Harry Groener, Bob Gunton, Sam Harris, Gregory Harrison, Mimi Hines, Judy Kaye, Jane Krakowski, Marc Kudish, Judith Light, Rebecca Luker, Maureen McGovern, Joey McIntyre, Donna McKechnie, Andrea Marcovicci, Marin Mazzie, Karen Morrow, Burke Moses, Kelli O'Hara, Ken Page, Robert Picardo, David Hyde Pierce, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Roger Rees, Charles Nelson Reilly, Cathy Rigby, Douglas Sills, Rex Smith, Steven Weber, Marisa Jaret Winokur, Lillias White, Fred Willard, and Rachel York.

For more information, visit www.reprise.org

Photos - Patrick Cassidy by Jan Nargi; Lea Thompson by Shira Greenberg