Navratilova, McEnroe, Etc. to Attend 'Deuce,' May 15

Stars of the tennis world will turn up at the Broadway play Deuce on Tuesday, May 15.  The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is hosting a benefit evening at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street) for the USTA Tennis & Education Foundation. 

"Martina Navratilova, Pam Shriver, Patrick McEnroe, Tim Mayotte and Katrina Adams are some of the tennis greats in attendance to watch a performance of the world premiere play by four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally, which centers on a pair of doubles tennis champions reunited at a championship match," according to press materials.

Directed by Michael Blakemore, Deuce - starring theatre legends Angela Lansbury (Sweeney Todd, Mame, Gypsy) and Marian Seldes (A Delicate Balance, Deathtrap) - opened Sunday, May 6th at the Music Box Theatre (239 West 45th Street).  The production will play a strictly limited engagement of 18 weeks. 

The play "stars Lansbury as Leona Mullen and Seldes as Midge Barker – two former doubles tennis legends, reunited at a championship tournament.  As they watch a singles match grow increasingly heated, the two women reminisce on the sidelines, remembering past triumphs and unearthing forgotten truths, in Mr. McNally's tender and unexpectedly moving new play."  The production also features Brian Haley, Joanna P. Adler and Michael Mulheren. 

The play features set design by Peter J. Davison, costume design by Ann Roth, lighting design by Mark Henderson, sound design by Paul Charlier and video and projection design by Sven Ortel.  Deuce is produced on Broadway by Scott Rudin, Stuart Thompson, Maberry Theatricals, The Shubert Organization, Roger Berlind, Debra Black, Bob Boyett, Susan Dietz and Daryl Roth. 

Tickets are on sale at TeleCharge at 212-239-6200, online at www.telecharge.com, or at the Music Box Theatre box office (239 West 45th Street).  Visit www.DeuceOnBroadway.com for more information.

Photo of Angela Lansbury by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.