Collins and Roberts Will Be Members of 'THE ROYAL FAMILY' for MTC

Variety reports that Stephen Collins and Tony Roberts have joined the cast of Manhattan Theater Club's upcoming Broadway revival of THE ROYAL FAMILY.

In George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber's 1927 comedy about a theatrical clan, Collins ("7th Heaven" and SPAMALOT) plays Gilbert Marshall, a successfull businessman who woos the daughter of the family. Tony Roberts ("Xanadu," "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife") portrays the legit manager and producer Oscar Wolfe according to Variety. To read the full Variety news, click here.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) announced earlier this year three of the upcoming productions for Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming 2009-2010 theatrical season, including two of the three productions at MTC's Broadway theatre, the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) (THE ROYAL FAMILY, COLLECTED STORIES) and the first of the three shows planned for MTC's Off-Broadway theatre at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street) (TIME STANDS STILL).

Previews for THE ROYAL FAMILY begin on Tuesday, September 15, 2009, Opening Night is set for Thursday, October 8, 2009.

Press notes desrible the shows as, "It's half past one in the fabulously cluttered Cavendish duplex in the East Fifties, and anyone who's anyone is still asleep. So begins THE ROYAL FAMILY, the classic comedy of theatrical manners, written by two of the theatre's greatest writers, George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber, whose other storied collaborations include Dinner at Eight and Stage Door. This devilishly funny play follows the Cavendishes, the famous family of stage stars, as they go about the drama of the day: choosing scripts, dashing off to a performance, and stealing kisses with handsome beaus. But what's this business about the younger Miss Cavendish wanting to quit the stage for domestic bliss? Never, darling! This delicious comedy will be directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Doubt). And the fantastic cast includes Tony winner John Glover as ‘Herbert Dean,' Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee RoseMary Harris as ‘Fanny Cavendish,' Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Jan Maxwell as ‘Julie Cavendish, and Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award nominee Reg Rogers as ‘Tony Cavendish'"

This will Mark Harris' second time appearing in THE ROYAL FAMILY on Broadway. In the acclaimed 1976 production, she played the role of ‘Julie Cavendish,' the role that will be played by Jan Maxwell in the upcoming Broadway production.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, MTC has become one of the country's most prominent and prestigious theatre companies. MTC productions have earned a total of 16 Tony Awards and five Pulitzer Prizes, an accomplishment unparalleled by a New York theatrical institution. Renowned MTC productions include Ruined; The American Plan; Top Girls; Come Back, Little Sheba; Blackbird; Translations; Shining City; Rabbit Hole; Doubt; Proof; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; Love! Valour! Compassion! ; A Small Family Business; Sylvia; Putting It Together; Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune; Crimes of the Heart; and Ain't Misbehavin'. 

Last season, MTC's Broadway stage was renamed the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). The landmarked theatre has been the institution's home on Broadway since 2003 and was rehabilitated by MTC following a two-year, $35 million capital campaign. In addition, MTC operates an Off-Broadway home at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street), where it has been in residence since 1984.

For more information on Manhattan Theatre Club, please visitwww.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

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Single tickets to all productions will be available at a later date. Other listings information will be released in the coming weeks.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.