Jason Alexander to Take Artistic Reins at L.A.'s Reprise!

The LA Times reports that Tony Award-winner Jason Alexander, who played George on TV's "Seinfeld" and won a Tony for his performance in Jerome Robbins' Broadway, is the new artistic director of Reprise! Broadway's Best, the Los Angeles-based non-profit theater known for its staged concert productions of both Broadway classics and rarities. Alexander will be working with producing director Jim Gardia, who replaced Reprise founding producing director Marcia Seligson in 2005.

Alexander stated, "The immediate thing is to try and raise some money. The other part is to try to expand what they do. I have talked to them about including plays and play readings, concerts, speaker series and classes in musical theater." He continued that he hopes to gain more high-profile actors to take part in the company's shows, and to expand Reprise's audience with more diverse work, such as a possible African-American and Latino cast for next season's Damn Yankees (Nov. 7-18).

Alexander's involvement with Reprise! began with his 1997 performance in the company's debut production, Promises, Promises. This year, he directed their production of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park With George. He hopes that, in the future, Reprise! will also present new work, which may include commissioned pieces. "We need to expand," he said, "or Reprise is just going to have diminishing returns."

Alexander has also appeared on Broadway in Accomplice, Broadway Bound, The Rink and Merrily We Roll Along.  He has also starred in The Producers in L.A.  Film and TV credits include "Everybody Hates Chris," "A Christmas Carol," Shallow Hal, "Bob Patterson," "Cinderella," "Bye Bye Birdie," North and Pretty Woman.

The Reprise! 2007-2008 season, in addition to Damn Yankees, includes On Your Toes, Li'l Abner and Flora the Red Menace.

Visit www.reprise.org for more information.

Photo by Shira Greenberg