Cape May Stage Presents MIKE'S SHORTS, 8/27

Tucker and Eikenberry split their time between the hustle and bustle of New York City and a house nestled among the sleepy olive trees of Umbria, Italy.  This Emmy award-winning duo will read short stories and perform a world premiere one-act play. These tales, written by Tucker, weave life lessons with gastronomic delights, taking the audience on travels through New York and Italy, while stopping for frequent refreshments along the way. Foodies and travelers alike will delight as Jill and Michael regale audiences in this comedic and heartfelt presentation about life, traveling, and the sins committed against food.  Like a good meal, this show will have something for everyone!

 

A veteran stage, film and television actor, Michael Tucker is perhaps best known for his role as Stuart Markowitz in the hit series, "L.A. Law." His 8-year stint on the popular NBC-TV drama brought him three Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon's famed Drama Department, Tucker made his Broadway debut in "Moonchildren" and then went on to build an extensive list of stage credits, appearing onstage with Meryl Streep and John Lithgow, and performing in such well-known companies as Shakespeare in the Park, The Manhattan Theater Club, The Roundabout Theater, Playwrights Horizons, The Second Stage, Lincoln Center, as well as on and off-Broadway.  Tucker's film credits include Woody Allen's "Radio Days" and "The Purple Rose of Cairo", Barry Levinson's "Diner" and "Tin Men", "Network", "For Love or Money" with Michael J. Fox, "Mighty Ducks II", and "Till There Was You" with Jean Tripplehorn.

 

Tucker, a writer as well as an actor, has authored several books, all of which feature food and drink as prominent themes. Tucker's first book, "I Never Forget a Meal: An Indulgent Reminiscence", is part memoir, part cookbook. His second book, "Living in a Foreign Language", chronicles the couple's experience as homeowners in the Italian countryside.  His third book, "Family Meals", explores the meaning of family and examines the sacrifices we make for those we love.  Tucker's first novel, "After Annie", is a hilarious and irresistible tale about love and the theater. 

 

Jill Eikenberry has a long list of theater, film and television credits and is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Ann Kelsey on NBC's long-running hit series "LA Law", which earned Eikenberry four Emmy nominations, two Golden Globe nominations and a Golden Globe Award. After Barnard College in New York and Yale Drama School in New Haven, Eikenberry began an extensive theater career on and off Broadway, starring in "Moonchildren", "All Over Town" directed by Dustin Hoffman, Wendy Wasserstein's "Uncommon Women and Others" in which she also appeared opposite Meryl Streep in the PBS-TV version.  She's appeared with such renowned companies as The Manhattan Theater Club, The York Theatre Company, Yale Rep, The Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., The Long Wharf Theater in New Haven and The Marin Theater Company. She made her feature film debut in 1976 in "Between the Lines" opposite John Heard, Jeff Goldblum and Lindsay Crouse, and has since been seen in Rich Kids with John Lithgow, "An Unmarried Woman", "Butch and Sundance: The Early Days", MGM's "Hide in Plain Sight" opposite James Caan, and "Arthur", in which she played Dudley Moore's jilted fiancé.  Currently Eikenberry is appearing in the film "Something Borrowed" with Kate Hudson and Jennifer Goodwin and also in the upcoming "Young Adult" starring Charlize Theron. She is now performing in the play, "Be a Good Little Widow", by Bekah Brunstetter at the Ars Nova Theater in NYC.

 

Tucker and Eikenberry have also appeared together on stage in A.R. Gurney's "Love Letters", on TV in "Hill Street Blues" and such TV movies as "A Family Again", "Gone in a Heartbeat", "Assault and Matrimony", "A Town Torn Apart", and "Archie's Wife", which also featured their daughter Alison.  They have produced a documentary film, "Emile Norman – By His Own Design", which is appearing at various festivals around the country. In August, Jill and Michael will reprise their roles in "Enter Laughing – The Musical" at the Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor, NY.

Part of Cape May Stage's acclaimed Second Stage Series, "Mike's Shorts", will run Monday, August 27^th at 8pm at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank & Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May.  Tickets are $50, and include an after party at the Wine Bar at the Washington Inn, Cape May's new hip, relaxing, contemporary meeting place at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets.  There, you'll have a chance to mingle with the stars, while enjoying delicious complimentary finger foods and a well-stocked cash bar.  Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatre's website, www.capemaystage.org.