Mark Rydell, George Segal, Esai Morales & More Set for Santa Monica Playhouse's PLAYS IN THE PARK thru 8/12

"Plays in the Park," a themed show of readings of short plays, written and directed by Brian Connors, will be presented by Key Schott Productions as a guest production at Santa Monica Playhouse, now through August 12. The show stars Mark Rydell and George Segal with Esai Morales and more.

Santa Monica Playhouse, The Main Stage is located at 1211 4th St., Santa Monica, Calif. The production runs now through Sunday, August 12, Saturdays and Sundays at 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. Admission is $20. For reservations, call (323) 960-7788 or go online at www.Plays411.com/playsinthepark.

Mark Rydell (the former daytime drama star who became more famous as a director of blockbuster movies ("On Golden Pond", "The Rose," "The River") and classic television ("Gunsmoke," "Ben Casey") and two-time Golden Globe winner George Segal* ("Retired at 35," "Just Shoot Me") star in the presentation of a themed program of short plays called "Plays in the Park," unified by their locale. The show will consist of readings of "Park Strangers" and "Swans," and "Oxymorons."

In "Park Strangers," a fading stage star is paired with a younger actress in a commercial for an offensive corporation. Offensive, yes, but both need the money.

In "Swans," a woman presses her man to find out when he'll marry her. It's the little things that ostensibly bother him…like her collection of swans.

In "Oxymorons," J finds his depressed brother Joey near the park zoo. J's sister-in-law has sent him to locate Joey. The two brothers have some old issues to settle. Don't be fooled into thinking they're polar opposites. They have far more in common than at first appears…like their women.

This weekend (July 14-15 ), George Segal joins the cast. Allan Miller ("Broadway Bound," "General Hospital") starts July 21.

The cast also includes Esai Morales* ("Fairly Legal," "NYPD Blue"), Susan Ateh ("In Bruges," "The Clinic"), Beege Barkette ("The Fabulous Baker Boys," "The Onion Field"), Chihiro Kawamura ("In Her Shoes," "The Republic"), and Dahlia Waingort* ("Raging Bull II," "True Blood").

Writer-director Brian Connors is a graduate of Rutgers University. His other plays include "Cross Your Heart" and "Two Sisters." A screenplay, "King Baby," was made into a short film. Also an actor, he has extensive stage credits and made a number of appearances on several television series.

*= subject to availability

Check out photos from the show's opening night below!

Photo credit: Jeff Fasano

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