Harry Hamlin and Loretta Swit Star in ONE NOVEMBER YANKEE at Noho Arts Center, Now thru Jan 5

The multi-award-winning NoHo Arts Center Ensemble (NoHoAce) presents a world premiere play, ONE NOVEMBER YANKEE, written and directed by Joshua Ravetch and starring four-time Golden Globe nominee Harry Hamlin and two-time Emmy winner Loretta Swit. ONE NOVEMBER YANKEE will preview tonight, November 13 at 8pm; Wednesday, November 14 at 8pm; Thursday, November 15 at 8pm and will open on Friday, November 16 at 8pm and will run for eight weeks through Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood.

ONE NOVEMBER YANKEE began its life at The Pasadena Playhouse Hot House Reading Series and was then selected as a finalist in the Ojai Playwright’s Conference. It’s the aftermath of a plane crash and a brother and sister have survived, but all is not exactly what it might seem as we travel to unexpected places that take us from New York’s MOMA, to the mountains of New Hampshire, from the past to the present in a play that unfolds like theatrical Origami in this funny and touching new play.

Joshua Ravetch (Writer/Director) is the former Artistic Director of The Stella Adler Conservatory and Theatre and developed the hit play, “Wishful Drinking” with Carrie Fisher and directed the world-premiere production at The Geffen Playhouse. “Drinking” went on to tour the country ending with a successful run at Studio 54 on Broadway. Most recently, Ravetch received a commission from The Geffen Playhouse to co-write and direct, “Step in Time: a Musical Memoir” with stage and screen icon, Dick Van Dyke. The world premiere production debuted at the Geffen Playhouse starring Van Dyke. Ravetch’s other stage plays include, “Writer’s Cramp,” which received a workshop production at The Geffen Playhouse with Emmy winner, Holland Taylor and Tony nominated, Douglas Sills. In addition, Ravetch’s play, “Girders” premed at The Coast Playhouse where it ran for a year winning the Clifford Odets’ Award for best new American play. Ravetch also wrote and directed, “Beacon” which received a workshop production at The Egyptian Arena Theatre where it was developed with actress Brooke Shields. At the Orange County Performing Arts Center, Ravetch co-wrote, “One From the Hart,” with actress Stefanie Powers. “Hart,” was Stefanie Powers’ one-woman-show. Powers also starred in Ravetch’s “Invention” at the Egyptian Arena Theatre. His other stage credits include his play “Off-Sides” which was purchased by Miramax for Ravetch to adapt into a screenplay, and “The Astronomer” which appeared at the Pasadena Playhouse Hot House series with Academy Award winner, Shirley Jones.

Other directorial credits of Ravetch include Bart Baker’s “Love Acts” at The Coast Playhouse, which was nominated for the NAACP image award; Clifford Odet’s, “The Big Knife;” John Patrick’s “The Hasty Heart;” and Ira Levin’s, “Deathtrap,” which won five Dramalogue Awards, including awards for direction and production.

Ravetch’s feature writing credits include, “Mainland” for Universal Studios, “Hollywood & Vine” for CastleRock and “George’s Diner” for Handmade Films. In television, Ravetch wrote for the CBS series, “Joan of Arcadia” and penned TV Pilots, “Horseshoe Bay” for Warner Brothers, “Titan” for TNT, and “Yesterday” for Laura Ziskin Productions.

Harry Hamlin - Having garnered a Golden Globe nomination for “Best Motion Picture Acting Debut” in Stanley Donen’s musical comedy MOVIE MOVIE, it is no wonder that Harry Hamlin (“Mr. Taylor”) has been steadily working in television, film, and stage for three decades. His recent television credits include recurring roles on SHAMELESS and ARMY WIVES as well as roles on FRANKLIN & BASH, HARPER’S ISLAND, VERONICA MARS and CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM and as star of the WB comedy series MOVIE STARS. Hamlin received an additional three consecutive Golden Globe nominations for his memorable role as attorney Michael Kuzak on L.A. LAW.

On the big screen, Hamlin previously starred as Perseus in the original cult favorite CLASH OF THE TITANS with Sir Lawrence Olivier, as well as in the groundbreaking and controversial film, MAKING LOVE. On the horizon are the independent features IMMIGRANT and THE FOURTH NOBLE TRUTH.

Hamlin’s work on Broadway includes the revival of Clifford Odets’ AWAKE AND SING, Tennessee Williams’ SUMMER AND SMOKE as well as his collaboration with his wife, Lisa Rinna, in the Broadway revival of CHICAGO playing Billy Flynn to her Roxie after which Scribner/Simon and Schuster published a memoir of his early life entitled, Full Frontal Nudity. Hamlin has been named People Magazine’s “Sexiest Man Alive;” an honor with which his actress wife undoubtedly agrees. The two reside in Los Angeles with their two daughters.

Hamlin is a classically trained actor having received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama from Yale University. Following a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from The American Conservatory Theatre , Hamlin was awarded a Fullbright Scholarship to study at the Moscow Art Theatre only to turn it down when he agreed to take the role of Joey Popchick in MOVIE MOVIE. When not continuing to hone his craft, he is an active environmentalist.

Loretta Swit - Few actresses can capture the imagination of generations of television viewers with the certainty and charm of Loretta Swit.

As quick witted, impassioned Major Margaret Houlihan of television’s most honored series, “M*A*S*H*, Ms. Swit became an American icon and with its popularity now in worldwide syndication, new fans continue to enjoy her lavish portrayal of the sensuous, sensitive, comedic Major Houlihan.

There’s more to Loretta Swit than mere prime-time perfection. Honored with such recognition as the People’s Choice Award, The Genie Award, The Silver Satellite Award, The Jean Golden Halo Award, the Pacific Broadcasters Award and two Emmy Awards. With 10 Emmy nominatons and six nominations for the Golden Globe, her career has teamed her with some of the most memorable names in the world of entertainment.

She made her Broadway debut in "Same Time, Next Year" opposite Ted Bessell, and again with Don Murray. After MASH wrapped, she replaced Cleo Laine in "The Mystery Of Edwin Drood." She has toured with national companies of “Any Wednesday,” and with two companies of “Mame,” starring as Agnes Gooch alongside two illustrious “Mames," Susan Hayward and Celeste Holm, playing the title role of Mame herself years later in New York and Pennsylvania.

She has appeared in over 1,000 performances of "Shirley Valentine".... a role for which she won Chicago’s most prestigious theatrical honor, The Sarah Siddons Award. Ms. Swit appeared in touring companies of the musical spoof, "Song of Singapore," while continuing to perform select dates of "Love Letters" with Anthony Franciosa. She appeared in "The Vagina Monologues" in New York, Chicago and the West End in London.

Her television career boasts over 25 movies, including the original “Cagney and Lacey,” in which she created the role of Chris Cagney, with obligations to MASH preventing her from shooting the series.

A few other films include “Games Mother Never Taught You,” with Sam Waterston, “Hell Hath No Fury,” with Barbara Eden, “The Execution,” with Sandy Dennis and Rip Torn, "Dreams of Gold," with Cliff Robertson and “A Killer Among Friends” with Patty Duke (the highest rated movie of that year).

Ms. Swit has sung and danced her way through most of television’s musical specials, most notably “The Muppet Show,” with Kermit and Miss Piggy and the Broadway musical "It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Superman." Every year she can be seen in the annual specials “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” “Miracle At Moreaux" and “A Christmas Calendar,” aired worldwide during the holidays.

Her dynamic acting range has placed her in some heady company on the big screen as well. Ms. Swit has starred in such films as STAND UP AND BE COUNTED with Jacqueline Bisset, FREEBIE AND THE BEAN with James Caan and Alan Arkin, RACE WITH THE DEVIL with Peter Fonda .......BEER opposite Rip Torn, Blake Edwards’ S.O.B. with Julie Andrews and William Holden, WHOOPS APOCALYPSE with Peter Cook and Herbert Lom, THE LORDS OF TANGLEWOOD with Chuck Norris and BOARDHEADS in which she co–starred with Bronson Pinchot.

She has just completed a highly successful tour of "Forty-Second Street" playing the diva, Dorothy Brock, and most recently ended the season with the role of Sister Aloysius Beauvier in "Doubt."

Ms. Swit’s wildlife series, “Those Incredible Animals,” was shown twice weekly on the Discovery Channel for an amazing five–year run, and was viewed on Animal Planet, as well as being aired in over 30 countries. As impassioned about animals as she is about the theatre, Ms. Swit is 1st Vice Presdent of Actors and Others For Animals, is also an honorary member for the Hooved Animal Rescue Protection Society (HARPS) and has acted as spokesperson for The Farm Sanctuary as well as the Humane Society of the U.S.(HSUS). For her ceaseless humanitarian efforts, she has been named Woman of the Year by both the Animal Protection Institute and the International Fund For Animal Welfare.

ONE NOVEMBER YANKEE has assembled an award-winning design team. The Set Design is by Dana Moran Williams. The Lighting Design is by Ovation Award-winner Luke Moyer (Dracula, Elizabeth Rex). The Sound Design is by Alex Robert Holmes. The Costume Design is by Ann Closs-Farley. The stage manager is Diana Copeland.

ONE NOVEMBER YANKEE will preview on Tuesday, November 13 at 8pm; Wednesday, November 14 at 8pm; Thursday, November 15 at 8pm and will open on Friday, November 16 at 8pm and will run for eight weeks through Saturday, January 5 at the NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd. (at Lankershim) in North Hollywood.

Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 3pm. There will be no performance on Thursday, November 22 (Thanksgiving).

Ticket prices are $30.00 for all performances. For tickets, please call 818-508-7101 ext. # or visit www.nohoartscenter.com.

THE NOHO ARTS CENTER and THE NOHO ARTS CENTER ENSEMBLE (formerly Open At The Top Productions) were created in 2004, when theatre veterans James J. Mellon and Kevin Bailey partnered with Doug Hutchinson and purchased the American Renegade Theatre. Following extensive renovations, the newly christened The NoHo Arts Center opened its doors in September of 2004. The Center’s resident company — the multiple award-winning NoHo Arts Center Ensemble (NoHo ACE) — is comprised of actors, directors and writers, galvanized into a passionate ensemble that creates new plays and musicals, adopting as their vision statement “Theatre for Its Own Sake.”

In its first season, producing as OPEN AT THE TOP, the company mounted two World Premiere musicals: THE GHOST & MRS. MUIR, and the West Coast Premiere of the musical DORIAN. The season also boasted both parts of Tony Kushner’s ANGELS IN AMERICA, the Los Angeles Premiere of Seth Greenland’s JERUSALEM and four evenings of 24 HOURS OF MADNESS—where six 15-minute original plays are written, fully produced and performed off-book within a 24-hour period. Their second season brought the hit, re-imagined production of the musical BARNUM, the critically acclaimed ELIZABETH REX and the World Premiere musical A BOY CALLED LIZARD.

Season three brought the company even greater acclaim as it presented the world premiere play, FEED; the West Coast Premiere of the hit New York musical revue, BUSH IS BAD; and the award winning play, PALACE OF THE END. The fourth season brought three world premieres, the musicals YO HO HO! A PIRATE’S CHRISTMAS, and PEST CONTROL – THE MUSICAL, and the first mounting of DEPARTURES. The fifth season brought the updated BUSH IS BAD– Alaskan Beauty Queen Edition, the long-running hit revival of DRACULA, the American premiere of EAST OF BERLIN and the world premiere musical from the team of James Mellon and Scott DeTurk, INSANITY. Subsequent productions have included, PRAYING SMALL, BECOMING NORMAN, THAT’S AMORE and the updated version of DEPARTURES.

In its short history THE NOHO ARTS CENTER has garnered three Ovation Awards and 19 nominations; two Garland Awards, along with 10 nominations; eight ADA Awards (including Best Director and Choreography for A BOY CALLED LIZARD) and 24 nominations; three LA Weekly Awards and five LA WEEKLY nominations; and three LADCC Award nominations. In addition, A BOY CALLED LIZARD and YO HO HO, A PIRATE’S CHRISTMAS have been published by Samuel French, with A BOY CALLED LIZARD garnering this years 2012 AATE (American Association of Theatre and Education) award for Best Adaptation of a Musical.

To post a comment, you must register and login.