D'Arcy James, Gleason, Etc. Set for Beane's The Cartells

In the tradition of "Dallas," "Dynasty" and "The Colbys," Drama Dept. is turning the talents of its acclaimed theatrical company to the world of live, primetime soap operas with The Cartells. 

Written by Douglas Carter Beane (The Little Dog Laughed) and directed by Carl Andress (Shanghai Moon), The Cartells is a live, four-part, weekly stage series premiering Monday, October 16, 2006 at Comix (353 W. 14th St.) in New York's Meatpacking District.

Starring Vanessa Aspillaga as Margarita Cartell, Tony Award-nominee Dylan Baker as Craven Cartell, Keith Davis as Suitor, Tony Award-winner Joanna Gleason as Titsiana Cartell, Tony Award nominee Brian D'Arcy James as Cronin Cartell, David Rakoff as Hubris the butler, Joey Slotnick as Samson Solomon, and a variety of weekly guest stars, The Cartells is "about a wealthy oil family having too much fun in an Aaron Spelling kind of way," state press notes.  "And, for those audience members who miss an episode, each weekly performance will begin with 'Previously on The Cartells…,' to be sure everyone's all caught up on who's doing what to whom, who's feeling the love and who's in the doghouse."

Douglas Carter Beane's plays include The Little Dog Laughed (Broadway, Fall 2006), As Bees in Honey Drown (Outer Critics Circle Award winner, Drama Desk nomination), The Country Club (L.A. Times Critics' Choice and Drama-Logue Awards), The Big Time, Advice from a Caterpillar (Outer Critics Circle nomination) and more. His screenplays include To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar and Advice from a Caterpillar (Best Film, Aspen Comedy Festival). He is the Artistic Director of Drama Dept.

The Cartells features set deign by B.T. Whitehill, costume design by Jeriana Hochberg, lighting design by Kirk Bookman and Julie Seitel and sound design/original music by Lewis Flinn.

The performance schedule is as follows:

    Episode #1 – "The Eye of the Needle" – Monday, October 16 at 8 p.m.
    Episode #2 – "Far Above Rubies" – Monday, October 23 at 8 p.m.
    Episode #3 – "Perish the Sword" – Monday, October 30 at 8 p.m.
    Episode #4 – "Cast a Stone" – Monday, November 6 at 8 p.m.

Tickets for all performances are $35 each and can be purchased by calling 212-524-2500. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ComixNY.com on in-person at Comix Box Office at 353 W. 14th St.). The box office opens at 10 a.m. daily. Dinner seating is also available.

For each performance, a limited number of VIP seats are available for a $125 donation to Drama Dept. VIP seating includes pre-show cocktails and appetizers, the best seats in the house, and an exclusive post-show reception with the cast and creators. Visit www.ComixNY.com or www.dramadept.org for more information.