Gemignani, Zien, Parker & More Join Murphy in Roundabout's PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE; Additional Casting Announced!

Roundabout Theatre Company (Todd Haimes, Artistic Director), in association with Tracy Aron, announces additional casting for the new Broadway musical THE PEOPLE IN THE PICUTRE, starring two time Tony® Award-winner Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia. THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE features book & lyrics by Iris Rainer Dart and music by Mike Stoller and Artie Butler.

The cast will also feature Alexander Gemignani (Moishe), Christopher Innvar (Chaim), Nicole Parker (Red), Rachel Resheff (Jenny), Hal Robinson (Doovie, Rabbi Velvel), Lewis J. Stadlen (Avram Krinsky), Chip Zien (Yoshie Pinsker), Brad Bradley, Rachel Bress, Jeremy Davis, Emilee Dupre, Maya Goldman, Louis Hobson, Shannon Lewis, Jessica Lea Patty, Megan Reinking, Jeffrey Schecter, Paul Anthony Stewart and Stuart Zagnit. Additional casting will be announced shortly.

Performances of THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE will begin on Friday, April 1st, 2011 on Broadway at Studio 54 (254 West 54th Street) with the official opening set for Thursday, April 28th, 2011. The limited engagement is scheduled to run through June 19th, 2011.

This New York premiere production comes from the author of the international best seller Beaches, Iris Rainer Dart, with a glorious score by Mike Stoller (Smokey Joe's Café) and Artie Butler (Louis Amstrong's "What a Wonderful World").

Once the darling of the Yiddish Theatre in pre-war Poland, now a grandmother in New York City, Bubbie has had quite a life. But what will it all mean if she can't pass on her stories to the next generation? Though her granddaughter is enchanted by her tales, her daughter Red will do anything to keep from looking back. A fiercely funny and deeply moving new musical that spans three generations, THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE celebrates the importance of learning from our past, and the power of laughter.

The creative team includes Paul Gemignani (Musical Direction), Michael Starobin (Orchestrations), Andy Blankenbuehler (Musical Staging), Riccardo Hernandez (Sets), Ann Hould-Ward (Costumes), James F. Ingalls (Lights), Dan Moses Schreier (Sound), Elaine J. McCarthy (Projections), Paul Huntley (Hair & Wigs) & Angelina Avallone (Make-up).

Tickets are available beginning Friday, February 4th by calling Roundabout Ticket Services at (212)719-1300, online at www.roundabouttheatre.org or at the Studio 54 Box Office (254 West 54th Street). Ticket prices range from $37.00 - $122.00.

To become a Roundabout subscriber visit www.roundabouttheatre.org or call Roundabout Ticket Services (212)719-1300.

THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE will play Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8:00PM with a Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday matinee at 2:00PM.

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Donna Murphy (Raisel/Bubbie). Award winning actress-singer Donna Murphy has been building a career of striking range and diversity in the theater and on the large and small screens. This "seductive actress of major transformative powers" (New York Times) has impressed both critics and audiences with her depth and skill. This year she treads new ground in her first animated film, voicing one of the leading characters, Mother Gothel, in Disney's Tangled, also starring MAndy Moore and Zachary Levi, with a score by Alan Menken and Glenn Slater. The film opens on Nov. 24, 2010. Currently filming a leading role in award winning filmmaker Todd Solondz' Dark Horse, also starring Christopher Walken, Mia Farrow and Selma Blair, she recently completed work in the highly anticipated directorial debut of Academy Award nominee Vera Farmiga, Higher Ground. Ms. Murphy received the first of two Tony Awards for Best Actress in a Musical, along with the Drama Desk and Drama League Awards, for her spellbinding creation of Fosca in Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Passion, garnering critical acclaim when it was broadcast on PBS's American Playhouse. She was awarded her second Tony and Drama League Awards, as well as Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations for her elegant and distinctive performance as Anna Leonowans in the 1996 Tony Award winning revival of The King and I. In 2004, she was honored with the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Astaire Awards, the Drama League Outstanding Achievement Award for her work in Musical Theater, as well as another Tony nomination, for her hilarious tour de force as Ruth Sherwood in the Broadway Revival of Wonderful Town, a role she originated at City Center's Encores! Series. In 2007 she returned to Broadway at Manhattan Theater Club's Biltmore Theater as the legendary actress singer Lotte Lenya, in the world premiere of LoveMusik, directed by Harold Prince. She received her third Drama Desk Award, and second Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical, as well as a Drama League Award and a Tony nomination for this mesmerizing performance. Earlier that season Murphy received raves for her portrayal of Phyllis Stone in City Center's Encores!' production of Stephen Sondheim and James Goldman's Follies. That summer, Variety named her one of three "Legit Luminaries" in their Women's Impact Issue.

This past April, she lit up the stage at City Center Encores again, with her performance as Mayoress Cora Hooper in Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents' Anyone Can Whistle, once again thrilling theatergoers and critics, prompting Ben Brantley of the NY Times to call her "perhaps the most sophisticated practitioner of musical comedy alive today." Ms. Murphy studied with the legendary Stella Adler, and at the Lee Strasberg Institute, and attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She made her professional debut, after being cast from an open call, in Neil Simon's hit They're Playing Our Song, and went on to create memorable characters in comedies, dramas and musicals on and off Broadway, and in theaters across the country. These credits include Edwin Drood in the Broadway production of Rupert Holmes Drood, James Lapine's Twelve Dreams, and Michael John LaChiusa's Hello Again at Lincoln Center Theater (Drama Desk nominations), Song of Singapore (Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle nominations), Peter Nichol's Privates of Parade at the Roundabout Theater Co., Strindberg's Miss Julie (McCarter Theater), and the title character of Tony Kushner's production of Ellen MacLaughlin's Helen, for the New York Shakespeare Festival (Drama League Award). She also starred in the World Premiere of Pamela's First Musical, by Wendy Wasserstein, Cy Coleman and David Zippel, at Town Hall, benefiting Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and Theater Development Fund's OPEN DOORS Program. Ms. Murphy's film credits include: The Nanny Diaries, World Trade Center, The Fountain, Spiderman 2, The Door in the Floor, Center Stage, Star Trek: Insurrection, The Astronaut's Wife, and Jade . Ms. Murphy's first television film, HBO's Someone Had to be Benny, earned her a Cable Ace Award as Best Actress in a Drama Special or Series, as well as a Daytime Emmy. Other TV work includes : TNT's Trust Me, ABC's What About Joan, Showtime's political drama The Last Debate , Mary Todd Lincoln in The Day Lincoln Was Shot (TNT), Francesca Cross on Stephen Bochco's Murder One (ABC), Leonard Bernstein's New York and AbiGail Adams in Liberty! for PBS, the 2000 and 2002 Kennedy Center Honors (CBS) and guest appearances on Ugly Betty ,Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Law & Order SVU, Damages, Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip, CSI, Law & Order, The Practice, Ally McBeal, This November, she is featured in the PBS Broadcast of Sondheim: The Birthday Concert, filmed live this past March. A versatile singer, she can be heard on a number of recordings including Lovemusik (Ghostlight), Wall to Wall Sondheim (Symphony Space), Wonderful Town (DRG), Leonard Bernstein's New York (Nonesuch), Hello Again (RCA Victor), The King and I (Varese Sarabande) and the Grammy Award winning Passion (Angel). For her contribution to the Arts, Culture and Public life, she's received special honors from New York Magazine, Symphony Space, Greenwich Village's Caring Community, the Women's Project, The Little Orchestra Society, Irish America Magazine, the Breukelein Institute and Emerson College. Ms. Murphy donates her time and efforts to a number of organizations, including the Worldwide Orphan's Foundation, the All Stars Project providing Arts education and programs for inner city youth, Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS, and The Actors Fund.

Alexander Gemignani (Moishe). Broadway: Sunday in the Park With George, revival (Boatman / Dennis); Les Miserables, revival (Valjean, Drama League Nomination); Sweeney Todd, revival (The Beadle, Drama Desk Nomination); Assassins, revival (John Hinckley; Theatre World Award for outstanding Broadway debut). Off- Broadway: Road Show at The Public (Addison Mizner, Drama League Nomination); Avenue Q at The Vineyard (Brian). Regional: Sarah Ruhl's world premiere adaptation of Chekhov's The Three Sisters at Cincinnati Playhouse (Andrei). 2007 National Tour of Sweeney Todd (Sweeney Todd; Toronto and Columbus). Concerts: Sondheim: The Birthday Concert with The New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall; City Center's Sondheim Gala Celebration; Wall To Wall Broadway and Wall To Wall Sondheim at Symphony Space; Sondheim's 75th at the Hollywood Bowl and multiple appearances at Town Hall in Broadway By The Year. TV/ Film: Empire State (Pilot for ABC); Live From Lincoln Center's production of Passion (Lt. Torasso); PBS's Great Performances' production of South Pacific at Carnegie Hall (Stewpot) and the film The Producers. Solo Venues: Feinstein's, The Laurie Beechman Theatre and Birdland. His new solo show will premiere in Barbara Cook's Spotlight Series at The Kennedy Center this Februrary. Alexander serves on the faculty at CAP21 and is a member of the BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre writing workshop.

Christopher Innvar (Chaim). Broadway- Tiger Brown in The Three Penny Opera and File in 110 In The Shade for Roundabout at Studio 54, Javert in Les Miserables, Victor/Victoria. Off-Bdwy- Floyd Collins, Gun-Shy; Playwright's Horizons, The Boys In The Band; Transport Group, A New Brain; Lincoln Center, The Witch Of Edmonton; Red Bull, The Chemistry Of Change; Women's Project, Eight Days Backwards; Vineyard, Speck's Last; Atlantic, Time And Again; MTC. Regional- Steppenwolf, Guthrie, Yale Rep, McCarter, Long Wharf, Wilma, Shakespeare Theatre DC(Affiliated Artist). Director- The Whipping Man, Collyer Brothers At Home, Period Piece; Barrington Stage (Artistic Associate). Film/TV- Don't Mess With The Zohan, Prime, Speck's Last, Rock The Paint, Gravity, "Law&Order CI/SVU", "Third Watch," "Spin City."

Nicole Parker (Red) was seen as Rosemary in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying at Reprise! last spring. She last appeared on Broadway as Elphaba in Wicked. Her Broadway debut was Martin Short: Fame Becomes Me. Other theater credits include: Juliet in Second City's Romeo and Juliet Musical at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater (Jeff Nomination), and Pamina in The Magic Flute at the Falcon Theater in Los Angeles. For six seasons, Nicole was an actress and contributing writer on Fox's MADtv. She appeared in Judd Apatow's third film, Funny People. This summer, she won a Best Actress award for her work in the short film Weathered at the Damah Film Festival in Washington. Before joining MADtv, she spent two years in Amsterdam as a writer and performer at Boom Chicago, an American-based sketch and improv theater. During her time there she created two new revues, both of which were featured at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She made her Birdland debut in New York last year with her one-woman show, Suitcase Full of Lies. Nicole is a founding member of the Waterwell Theater, a non-profit company in New York City. With Waterwell, she has performed as Laurencia in their adaptation of Fuenteovejuna, and created the role of Victoria Woodhull in Wizard of Wall Street, as part of a new musical workshop series at her alma mater, Indiana University.

Rachel Resheff (Jenny), Age 10, is thankful for the honor of working with this cast and crew in the Roundabout home. Broadway: Shrek (Young Fiona, original cast), Billy Elliot (Julie Hope, Debbie u/s), and Mary Poppins (Jane Banks). Off-Broadway/Staged Readings/Workshops: Laughing Matters (Jenny, Roundabout), Freckleface Strawberry (title role, MMAC), Suprema (Olive Ann, New Dramatists) The Big Meal (Maddie, Jacqueline, Playwrights Horizons), The Family (Emily). Feature Film: 3 Backyards (Christina, lead, Sundance 2010 winner Best Direction), Tick Tock Time Emporium (Max, lead). TV: The Electric Company, Wonder Pets, Pinky Dinky Doo. Thanks/Love to my family/ teachers: Janine, Steve, Joan, Marc, and the creative team of The People In The Picture who have taught me as a third generation Holocaust survivor, that the past is our light to the future. Proud member: AEA, SAG.

Hal Robinson (Doovie, Rabbi Velvel). New York: Cabaret (Herr Schultz) Sam Mendes, dir.; Old Wicked Songs (Prof. Mashkan) Seth Barrish, dir.; Grand Hotel (Zinnowitz) Tommy Tune, dir.; Broadway (Scar Edwards) George Abbott, dir.; Personals (Typesetter) Paul Lazarus, dir.; Life Is A Dream (Clotaldo) Jay Indik, dir.; Nick & Nora (Selznik) Arthur Laurents, dir.; The Fantasticks (El Gallo) Word Baker, dir.; Regional: Blood Wedding (Father) Old Globe-Gerald Freedman/Graciella Danielle, dirs.; Man And Superman (Roebuck Ramsden) Great Lakes Theatre Festival-Amy Saltz, dir.; Hedda Gabbler (Judge Brack) GLTF-Richard Hamburger, dir.; She Loves ME (Mr. Maraczek) Arena Stage-Kyle Donnelly, dir.; Love's Labour's Lost (Boyet) GLTF-Gerald Freedman, dir.; Up From ParadISE (God) GLTF-Kent Paul, dir.; Romeo And Juliet (Capulet) GLTF-Gerald Freedman, dir.; Animal Crackers (Roscoe W. Chandler) Papermill Playhouse, Goodspeed Opera House-Charles Repole, dir.;Rosemary And I, (Papa) Passage Theatre-Blair Brown, dir.; Follies (Ben) Cain Park Starlight Amph.-Victoria Bussert, dir.; Annie (FDR) K.C. Starlight-Jack Allison, dir.; Actor, Lawyer, Indian Chief (Benjamin Gurney) Goodspeed Opera House-David Bell, dir.; A Little Night Music (Fredrik Egerman) Candlewood Playhouse-Paula Kalustian, dir. Television and Film: "The Practice" (Judge Callahan) recurring, ABC; "Buffy, The Vampire Slayer" (Dr. Frank) "Graduation I", FOX; "The Nanny" (Yetta's Lettas) ABC; "Law and Order"- Martha Mitchell, dir. NBC; "Paulie" (Grandfather) Dreamworks-John Roberts, dir.; "Planting Melvin" (Melvin) Junebug Films-Kari Neville, dir.

Lewis J. Stadlen (Avram Krinsky). Lewis performed 761 times as Max Bialystock in The Producers, on Broadway and in the national tour. Lewis made his Broadway debut as Groucho Marx in Minnie's Boys, for which he won the Drama Desk, Outer Critic's Circle, and Theatre World Awards. Other Broadway shows: Ben Silverman in The Sunshine Boys, Voltaire, Dr. Pangloss, etc. in Candide (Tony nomination), Manolo in The Female Odd Couple, Milt in Laughter on the 23rd Floor, Banjo in The Man Who Came to Dinner, Mickey in 45 Seconds From Broadway. National tours: Nathan Detroit in Guys & Dolls, Ali Hakim in Oklahoma!, Mendel in Fiddler on the Roof, Harry in The Time of Your Life. Other favorite roles: Trigorin in The Seagull, Vandergelder in The Matchmaker and Hello, Dolly!, Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof, Azdak in The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Potofski in The Pillowman, Glougower in Once In A Lifetime, Givola in Arturo Ui, and the title roles in Semmelweiss, S.J. Pereleman In Person, and The Miser. Some of his better films include Serpico, The Verdict, To Be Or Not To Be, and In & Out. He has been seen on television in "Damages," "The Sopranos," "Law & Order," "New York News," "Benson," "The Equalizer," and "Omnibus." He has directed Laughter on the 23rd Floor (National company), Enter Laughing, Dying City, The Philistines, Seagull (The Musical), The Crucible, Ian Talks - Louie Walks. Lewis is the author of the theatrical memoir Acting Foolish.

Chip Zien (Yoshie Pinsker) created the central role of the Baker in Sondheim/Lapine's award-winning Into the Woods (L.A. Drama-Logue Award, Outer Critics nomination) and also created the role of Mendel in William Finn's highly acclaimed Falsettos. Most recently he was seen on B'way in Mike Nichols' The Country Girl and as Thenardier in the revival of Les Miserables. Other Broadway credits include, Tommy Tune's Grand Hotel, The Boys From Syracuse, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, All Over Town directed by Dustin Hoffman and The Suicide with Derek Jacobi. Mr. Zien began his long association with William Finn in the New York premier of In Trousers, at Playwrights Horizons and appeared thereafter in the original productions of March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland. Mr. Zien also starred in the La Jolla reworking of Merrily We Roll Along (L.A. Drama-Logue Award).

Brad Bradley (Swing). Most recently was in Billy Elliot on Broadway. Other Broadway credits include: Spamalot,* Annie Get Your Gun (Revival),* Thou Shalt Not,*Steel Pier,* A Christmas Carol, (*Denotes original cast album). First National Tour: Spamalot (Patsy). Off-Broadway: Ernest in Love (Irish Rep), Cocoanuts ( AJT) Encores- Bye Bye Birdie and Strike Up the Band. TV. "Marshall Chronicles," "Day By Day." Graduated from USC with a BFA. Made his professional debut at age 12 as a back up dancer for Michael Jackson.

Rachel Bress (Swing). Choreography credits: "Sex and the City", NBA All-Star Game entertainment, "The Electric Company", "The Today Show", Apartment 3A (by Jeff Daniels), Lost and Found, Therapy Rocks, Rated P. Associate Choreography credits: 9 to 5, The Apple Tree, Shrek the Musical, The Pirate Queen, On a Clear Day... Performance credits: Wicked, Mamma Mia!, 9 to 5, The Pirate Queen, West Side Story (Nat'l Tour). Rachel is the co-founder of Stage Door Connections. www.RachelBress.com / www.StageDoorConnections.com

Jeremy Davis (Ensemble). Broadway: Billy Elliot (Ensemble), 9 to 5 (Ensemble, Dick understudy), South Pacific (Ensemble, Stewpot understudy), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Ensemble). National Tours: South Pacific (Ensemble), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Ensemble), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Ensemble), The Who's Tommy (Harmonica Player). Regional Theatre: 9-5 (Ensemble, Dick understudy), Red, Hot and Blue (Eagle-Eye).

Emilee Dupre (Ensemble). Broadway: Girl Crazy (Ensemble), On the Town (Ensemble). National Tours: A Chorus Line (Cassie/Sheila), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (Swing), Fosse (Dancin' Dan). Regional/New York Theatre: Oklahoma! (Vivian/Laurey), High School Musical (Sharpay cover). Film: Personal Style (Laura), Ex Schemes (Claire).

Maya Goldman. Broadway: Shrek the Musical (Young Fiona/Young Shrek/Grumpy); 1st National Tour: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Cindy Lou Who); Regional: Here's Love (Susan Walker), Sound of Music (Marta), Phantom (Young Phantom); Pre-Broadway readings: Laughing Matters (Young Red/Rachel), Borscht Belt Bistro (Molly), Einstein's Dreams (Josie). Recordings: Shrek the Musical & "Carols for a Cure." Vocal Soloist: US Tennis Open, Boston Celtics, Baltimore Symphony. Other: Macy's Day Parade with Shrek cast; 1ST Place Winner of Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's "Oh Say Can You Sing" Contest. Thanks to Barry Kolker & Sabina.

Louis Hobson (Doctor Goldblum). Broadway: next to normal (OBC, Recording) (Dr. Madden); Regional: next to normal (Dr. Madden), West Side Story (Che) (Seattle Footlight Award), Hair (Neechee) (Seattle Footlight Award), Cabaret (Cliff), Miss Saigon (Chris), Assassins (Czolgosz), Pippin (Pippin).

Shannon Lewis (Ensemble). Broadway: Fanny (Encores!) (Ensemble), Damn Yankees (Encores!) (Lola Understudy, Dance Captain), Curtains (Mona Page), Sweet Charity (Original Cast) Ursula. National Tours: A Chorus Line (Sheila), Pippin (Fastrada). Regional: Leap of Faith (Ensemble), Carmen (Juanita).

Jessica Lea Patty (Ensemble). The Addams Family (Ancestor, Morticia u/s, Wednesday u/s), 9 to 5 the Musical (Maria, Judy u/s), A Chorus Line (Cassie), The Boy From Oz starring Hugh Jackman. Other favorites: Curtains, "Dancing with the Stars," "The Tony Awards," "The Late Show with David Letterman." FSU BFA Alum

Megan Reinking (Dobrisch) is excited to be part of this beautiful musical. Broadway: Hair (Black Boys Trio, Jeanie u/s), Lestat, and Dracula the Musical. West End: Hair (Black Boys Trio, Sheila & Jeanie u/s). New York: Hair (Shakespeare in the Park), Bye, Bye Birdie (City Center Encores!) Regional: Lestat (Curran Theatre), Footloose (Ariel Moore - Marriott Lincolnshire, Sacramento Music Circus, Music Theatre of Wichita), The Three Musketeers (Constance - Chicago Shakespeare Festival). Television: Annabelle in Boardwalk Empire (HBO). BFA in Musical Theatre - University of Michigan. Proud member of AEA. Endless gratitude to my priceless family, friends, and Nicolosi & Co.

Jeffrey Schecter (Ensemble) Broadway: A Chorus Line (Mike Costa), The Pajama Game (Ralph, u/s Prez), Wonderful Town, Beauty and the Beast (Le fou), Guys and Dolls; Off-Broadway: The Tin Pan Alley Rag, Bells Are Ringing (Carl); National Tour: Ragtime, West Side Story; Regional: Robin And the Seven Hoods (Willi), On The Town (Ozzie), Minsky's. Film: Every Little Step, Farm Girl in NY (Co-writer/star). Much love to Melissa, dad and Mom. www.jeffreyschecter.com

Paul Anthony Stewart (Jerzy) Broadway: Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik), Cyrano (Christian). Off-Broadway: Panama Hattie (Nick), Searching for Spinoza (Workshop) (Spinoza), The Man Who Would Be King - NY Musical Theatre Festival (Peachey). Film: It's Me, Mathew! (Brice), The Appearance of Things (Anthony). Television: Law & Order (Bobby Gold), Guiding Light (Emmy nomination) (Danny Santos)

Stuart Zagnit. Broadway: Stuart created the roles of Goldberg in The Wild Party and the Mayor of Whoville in Seussical (also original cast recordings). Off-Broadway: Picon Pie at the Lamb's Theatre (co-starred and associate directed); Tony Kuschner's A Dybuk at The Public, Mr. President, All in the Timing, Lucky Stiff, Seymour in the original Little Shop of Horrors, The Golden Land, The Majestic Kid, Kuni-Leml and The Grand Tour. National tours include Grandpa Who in How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Zangler in Crazy for You, Buzz in Applause, Mendel in Falsettos, The Baker in Into the Woods and Tintypes. Regional credits include Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof and Mr. Dussel in The Diary of Anne Frank at Syracuse Stage, Miracle Worker at the Paper Mill Playhouse, Enter Laughing at the Berkshire Theatre Festival, The Sound of Music at Sacramento Music Circus, Breakin' Up is Hard to Do at Capital Rep, Albany & Ogunquit Playhouse. Television: "30 Rock"; featured on all three "Law & Order " series, "All My Children" and "One Life to Live." Feature film: Greta starring Hillary Duff.

Leonard Foglia (Director). Broadway: Thurgood also Kennedy Center and Geffen Playhouse, LA; On Golden Pond also Kennedy Center and National tour; Wait Until Dark; Master Class, also Kennedy Center, National Tour, London's West End. Opera: Moby Dick (Dallas Opera); Dead Man Walking (NYC Opera, Opera Pacific, Cincinnati, Detroit, etc.); The End of the Affair (Houston Grand, Seattle and Madison Opera). Three Decembers (Houston Grand Opera, San Francisco Opera, Chicago Opera Theater). Off Broadway: Let Me Down Easy (Second Stage); The Stendhal Syndrome (Primary Stages) One Touch of Venus (City Center) If Memory Serves (Promenade, Pasadena Playhouse); By the Sea (MTC, Bay Street); Lonely Planet (Circle Rep). Regional: Let Me Down Easy (Zack Theater), Unusual Acts of Devotion (Philadelphia Theater Company), Distracted (Mark Taper), Things Being What They Are (Bay Street) Paper Doll, The Secret Letters of Jackie and Marilyn (Pittsburgh Public), Thurgood (Westport Playhouse), The Subject Was Roses (Kennedy Center), Southern Comforts (Coconut Grove), Seascape, A Coffin in Egypt, The Woman in Black (Bay Street), God's Man in Texas, Dinner with Friends (The Old Globe Theatre), Dreamland (Sharon Stage) Revelers (NYS&F). He is co-author, with David Richards, of the mystery novels 1 Ragged Ridge Road, Face Down in the Dark, El Sudario - and its sequel: La Sangre Del Sudario.

Iris Rainer Dart (Book & Lyrics). Iris Rainer Dart is a best-selling novelist of nine novels, notably Beaches, which was made into a film starring Bette Midler. She was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where her father was a social worker at the Irene Kaufman Settlement in the Hill District. Iris appeared as a child on the stage of the Curtaineers, the first inter-racial theater group at the Settlement house. She went on to attend classes at the Pittsburgh Playhouse from the time she was six, and was a child actress at both the Pittsburgh Playhouse and The White Barn Theater. Iris received her degree in theater from the Drama Department at Carnegie Mellon University, where she won the BMI awards for the libretto and lyrics she wrote for the varsity musical with composer Stephen Schwartz. After moving to Los Angeles, Iris was a member of the Columbia Pictures contract workshop. In the 70s, Producer George Schlatter hired her to be the first woman writer on "The Sonny and Cher Show." She went on to work in both situation comedy, and long-form television before she turned to writing novels. Iris was a Governor's appointee to the California Arts Council on which she served for eight years. She was also the commencement speaker at her alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University. It says in the Talmud that "A man is known by his laughter." Iris's own childhood, imbued with the humor of the Yiddish culture, was what inspired her to write The People in the Picture.

Mike Stoller (Music). Mike Stoller is one-half of the legendary songwriting team of Leiber & Stoller. Together with Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller has been writing songs for almost sixty years. Not content to be confined to one musical style, they have created enduring classics in a variety of genres including Rhythm & Blues, Pop, Country, Jazz, Cabaret, and - perhaps most notably - Rock & Roll. If Elvis Presley was the king of Rock & Roll, then Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller were certainly two of the most important powers behind that throne. It's impossible to think of Elvis without thinking of "Hound Dog," "Loving You," or "Jailhouse Rock" - all creations from the pen and piano of Leiber and Stoller. To carry the analogy a step further, the court jesters of the Rock & Roll kingdom would have to be The Coasters. Leiber and Stoller wrote and produced all of The Coasters' hits, including "Searchin'," "Young Blood," "Yakety Yak," "Charlie Brown," "Along Came Jones," "Poison Ivy," and "Little Egypt." But Elvis and The Coasters are only two of the acts whose careers skyrocketed because of Leiber and Stoller's creative partnership. Mike and Jerry began their partnership in 1950 at the age of 17 when they discovered that they had a mutual passion for Boogie Woogie and the Blues. By the time they were 20, Leiber and Stoller had seen their earliest songs recorded by such artists as Jimmy Witherspoon, Little Esther, Amos Milburn, CharLes Brown, Little Willie Littlefield, Bull Moose Jackson, Linda Hopkins, Ray Charles, and Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton. Leiber and Stoller's series of hits as both songwriters and record producers began with Big Mama Thornton's recording of "Hound Dog" in 1953. This record and others produced by them caught the attention of executives from Atlantic Records. In 1955, Atlantic signed Leiber and Stoller to the first independent production deal, forever changing the course of the record industry. Leiber and Stoller's songs and productions were constantly on the charts during the next decade. Aside from The Coasters' many hits, there were Ben E. King's "Stand By Me," and "I (Who Have Nothing)"; The Drifters' "There Goes My Baby," "Dance With Me," and "On Broadway"; as well as La Vern Baker's recording of "Saved" and Ruth Brown's "Lucky Lips." During this same period, while Leiber and Stoller were producing The Clovers ("Love Potion # 9"), Jay and the Americans ("Only In America"), and Chuck Jackson ("I Keep Forgettin'"), other artists were having hits with Leiber and Stoller compositions. There was Wilbert Harrison with "Kansas City," The Drifters with "Ruby Baby" and "Fools Fall In Love," Peggy Lee with "I'm A Woman," and Edith Piaf with "L'Homme a la Moto." Elvis Presley recorded more than twenty songs written by Leiber and Stoller, including "Hound Dog," "Love Me," "Loving You," "Jailhouse Rock," "Treat Me Nice," "Don't," "(You're So Square) Baby, I Don't Care," "Bossa Nova Baby," "Santa Claus Is Back In Town," and "Trouble." In 1969, the team produced the Peggy Lee recording of their composition "Is That All There Is?" According to music critic Robert Palmer, "Is That All There Is?" was the song that "...clearly pointed to the direction their new work would take." It was this change in the creative style of Leiber and Stoller that prompted Palmer to write "...the Golden Age of Rock & Roll had come to an end." Leiber and Stoller have been the recipients of many awards and honors, including the following: 1985 - Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame; 1987 - Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; 1994 - Their star placed on the Hollywood Walk of Fame & their handprints imbedded into the Hollywood Rockwalk; 1995 - Grammy Award for Best Original Cast Album, Smokey Joe's Café; 2000 - Johnny Mercer Award (National Academy of Popular Music); 2000 - Ivor Novello International Songwriters Award; 2005 - World Soundtrack Award, Flanders International Film Festival. In March of 1995, Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber & Stoller opened on Broadway at the Virginia Theatre. Comprised of forty songs by L&S, the show was nominated for seven Tony Awards. Smokey Joe's Cafe would remain at the Virginia Theatre for over five years, becoming the longest-running musical revue in Broadway history. The show also played London's West End for two years, and has toured around the world. In 2009, Hound Dog: The Leiber and Stoller Autobiography was published by Simon & Schuster. In 2010, Leiber and Stoller will celebrate their 60th anniversary as a songwriting team.

Artie Butler (Music). Artie Butler was born in Brooklyn, NY. As a teenager he was discovered by the legendary songwriting and producing team of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. He was hired to replace a pianist for a recording session and as they say... "the rest is history." Artie has been involved in every phase of the music industry, arranging, composing, producing, supervising, and playing. He has arranged over seventy-five hit records and played on many other recordings as well. He has been awarded over fifty gold and platinum records. His featured piano work and arrangement on the recording of "Feelin' Alright" by Joe Cocker remains a true classic in American pop music and rock and roll. Artie's song "Here's To Life" has become a standard. In 1990 it was recorded by Shirley Horn and was on the jazz charts for one year. In 2009 it was recorded by "Barbra Streisand on her #1 CD "Love Is The Answer." He received a Grammy nomination for his arrangement of "I Know I'll Never Love This Way Again" for Dionne Warwick. He is a three time Emmy nominee, including his nomination for his outstanding work as composer/arranger, and music supervisor on the CBS mini-series "Sinatra" based on the life of Frank Sinatra. A small sampling of Artie's associations includes such classic recordings as "Copacabana," "Even Now," and "Can't Smile Without You" by Barry Manilow, "Feelin' Alright" by Joe Cocker, "Sally Go ‘Round
The Roses" by the Jaynets, "Solitary Man" and "Cherry Cherry" by Neil Diamond, "I Know I'll Never Love This Way Again" by Dionne Warwick, "Neither One Of Us Wants To Be The First To Say Goodbye" by Gladys Knight & The Pips, "The Boy From New York City" by The Ad-libs, "Laughter In The Rain" by Neil Sedaka, "You And Me Against The World" by Helen Reddy, "Indian Reservation" by Paul Revere and The Raiders featuring Mark Lindsay, "The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia" by Vicki Lawrence, "Society's Child" by Janis Ian, "Arizona" by Mark Lindsay, etc. Artie has worked with the best of the best - Barbra Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Bernadette Peters, Bette Midler, Barry Manilow, Liza Minnelli, Louis Armstrong, Peggy Lee, B.B. King, Count Basie & His Orchestra, Joe Cocker, Neil Diamond, Sammy Davis Jr., Natalie Cole, Neil Sedaka, The Fifth Dimension, Lou Rawls, Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight & The Pips, Johnny Mathis, Billy Preston, Julio Iglesias, Bobby Darin, Dinah Washington, Shirley Bassey, Engelbert Humperdinck, Tony Orlando, Tom Jones, Nancy Wilson, Andy Williams, Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Eartha Kitt, O.C. Smith, Carol Burnett, Anne Murray, Dusty Springfield, Stephen Bishop, Al Hirt, Joe Williams, Errol Garner, Roger Williams, Van Morrison, Rita Coolidge, Stan Getz and many others. Some of his work for film includes "What's Up Doc?" with Barbra Streisand for Warner Bros. "The Rescuers" - Animated Feature - Walt Disney Pictures "For Pete's Sake" - Barbra Streisand - Columbia Pictures He has worked extensively with the great artists of the Golden Era of Rock ‘n' Roll - the 50's and 60's. Paul Anka, Ben E King, The Shangri-Las, Jackie Wilson, Connie Francis, Jay & The Americans, Dion & The Belmonts, Chubby Checker, The Coasters, The Drifters, The Shirelles, The Tokens, The Exciters, Solomon Burke, The Crystals, The Platters, The Ronettes, etc. He is also extremely well known for his wonderful sense of humor. Like many musical talents from New York, Artie Butler started in the famous Brill Building. He has made some of the most significant contributions to that fabled and historic time in American pop music.

Tracy Aron. Broadway: Chita Rivera: The Dancer's Life, Spring Awakening ( Tony Award : Best Musical), Lovemusik, (where she first developed a working relationship with the inspirational Donna Murphy). Tracy is thrilled to be premiering this important new work with Todd Haimes and Roundabout.

Roundabout Theatre Company is a not-for-profit theatre dedicated to providing a nurturing artistic home for theatre artists at all stages of their careers where the widest possible audience can experience their work at affordable prices. Roundabout fulfills its mission each season through the revival of classic plays and musicals; development and production of new works by established playwrights and emerging writers; educational initiatives that enrich the lives of children and adults; and a subscription model and audience outreach programs that cultivate loyal audiences.
Roundabout Theatre Company currently produces at three permanent homes each of which is designed specifically to enhance the needs of the Roundabout's mission. Off-Broadway, the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, which houses the Laura Pels Theatre and Black Box Theatre, with its simple sophisticated design is perfectly suited to showcasing new plays. The grandeur of its Broadway home on 42nd Street, American Airlines Theatre, sets the ideal stage for the classics. Roundabout's Studio 54 provides an exciting and intimate Broadway venue for its musical and special event productions. Together these three distinctive venues serve to enhance the work on each of its stages.

American Airlines is the official airline of Roundabout Theatre Company. Roundabout productions are made possible, in part, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs; the New York State Council on the Arts, celebrating 50 years of building strong, creative communities in New York State's 62 counties; and the City of New York Theater Subdistrict Council, LDC and the City of New York.

Roundabout Theatre Company's current 2010-2011 season features Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, starring and directed by Brian Bedford; Tennessee Williams' The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore starring Olympia Dukakis, directed by Michael Wilson; Anything Goes starring Sutton Foster & Joel Grey, directed & choreographed by Kathleen Marshall; David West Read's The Dream of the Burning Boy, directed by Evan Cabnet; Dart, Stoller & Butler's The People in the Picture, starring Donna Murphy, directed by Leonard Foglia; Stone, Meehan & Yeston's Death Takes a Holiday, directed by Doug Hughes.

For more information, visit www.roundabouttheatre.org