Robert LuPone--who created the role of Zach in
A Chorus Line and has also gone on to success as a director, producer and teacher--will be the guest at the next session of "Shop Talk," a co-production with The Lynne Thigpen/Bobo Lewis Foundation (
www.ltblf.org). The event will take place this coming Monday, March 20, 7:30 pm at the Drama Book Shop (250 West 40th Street between 7th and 8th Avenues).
"As Artistic Director of New York's MCC Theater, LuPone's vision (along with that of Bernie Telsey and Will Cantler) has brought MCC Theater together with exceptional theater artists to produce works that force us to reexamine the world we live in through the unique perspectives of extraordinary writers. MCC Theater is dedicated to discovering and developing challenging, engrossing theater to present on their main stage, while simultaneously nurturing the development of emerging young voices through their literary and education programs," according to press notes.
The New School University named LuPone as its Interim Director of The New School for Drama. He was a Tony nominee for his work in
A Chorus Line, and as a producer of
Frozen. A member of The Actors Studio, LuPone appeared on Broadway in
True West, A Thousand Clowns, and
A View from the Bridge. He won the Jefferson Award for his performance in
The Tooth of Crime at the Goodman Theater. Off-Broadway credits include
Pericles, Clothes for a Summer Hotel, Black Angel, Lennon, and
Snow Orchid. In regional theater, he has performed at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, Hartford Stage, Yale Rep, Arena Stage, Berkshire Theater Festival, Shakespeare Theater of New Jersey, and Williamstown Theater Festival. Television credits include "Law & Order,""Crossing Jordan," "Sex and the City," and "The Simpsons" (as Dr. Cusimano). He received an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Zach Grayson on "All My Children." Film credits include
Nick of Time, Dead Presidents, The Doors, Jesus Christ Superstar, The Door in the Floor, and the upcoming
Indocumentos. LuPone is President of the Board of ART/NY and a member of The Actors Studio.
Host Rozanne Gates (who was an agent for LuPone in the early '80s) will talk with LuPone about the challenges facing the young artist attempting to make a living in theatre in New York City.
Shop Talk takes place in the Arthur Seelen Theater, downstairs in The Drama Book Shop at 250 West 40th St., between 7th and 8th Avenue. Tickets are only $20, $10 for students and can be purchased on-line at
www.ltblf.org or at the door on Monday night.
