Ashley, Fuller, Etc. Set for Foote's Dividing the Estate

Primary Stages has announced final casting for the second production of the 2007-2008 season:  the New York premiere of the play Dividing The Estate by Horton Foote. 

Under the direction of Michael Wilson (Old Acquaintance), the 12-member cast features Elizabeth Ashley (Enchanted April) as Stella, Arthur French (Two Trains Running) as Doug, Hallie Foote (The Day Emily Married) as Mary Jo, Penny Fuller (Southern Comforts) as Lucille, and Gerald McRaney ("Deadwood") as Lewis, with Devon Abner, James Colby, Lynda Gravatt, Virginia Kull, Maggie Lacey, Nicole Lowrance, and Keiana Richard.    

Performances begin Tuesday, September 18, 2007 for a limited run through Saturday, October 27, 2007 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues).   Opening night is set for Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Horton Foote returns to Primary Stages with the New York premiere of his play Dividing The Estate, described in press notes as "a 12-character human comedy about a family that must confront its past as it prepares for its future."

"One of America's leading dramatists, Mr. Foote is considered the Chekhov of small town America, and known for his intimate and affectionate explorations of ordinary people and their often extraordinary souls.  Mr. Foote had this to share when asked about returning to Primary Stages, 'I'm delighted and pleased that Primary Stages is presenting the New York premiere of Dividing The Estate and I look forward to working with this incredible cast.'"

The creative team includes Jeff Cowie (Sets), David C. Woolard (Costumes), Rui Rita (Lights), and John Gromada (Sound). 

Primary Stages launches its 23rd season of new works by American Playwrights with the New York premiere of Opus by Michael Hollinger directed by Terrence J. Nolen (July 24, 2007 – September 1, 2007).  The second half of the 2007-2008 season continues with the world premiere of a new play, Hunting and Gathering by Brooke Berman under the direction of Leigh Silverman (January 22, 2008  - March 1, 2008) and concludes with the New York premiere of Something You Did by Willie Holtzman (March 18, 2008 - April 26, 2008). 

Dividing The Estate will play the following performance schedule: Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m., Wednesdays through Friday at 8:00 p.m., and Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m.  Additionally, there are Sunday matinees scheduled for September 23rd, 30th & October 7th at 3:00 p.m., with a Wednesday matinee on October 24th at 2:00 p.m.  In place of the Wednesday matinees on October 10th & 17th, Primary Stages is presenting 1:00 p.m. performances of Dividing The Estate to student groups at no charge, under the auspices of the Primary Stages NYC Public School Student Matinee Program. 

Additionally, following the public performances on September 25th and October 16th, there are special "Artist/Audience Talkbacks" for the attendees of the performances on those evenings.  Single tickets for Dividing The Estate are priced at $60 each, and may be purchased by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, online at www.ticketcentral.com, or in person at the 59E59 Theaters Box Office.  Group Tickets (15+) are $47.50 each, and are available by calling (212) 840-9705.  For further information about Primary Stages, please visit the website at www.primarystages.com, or call (212) 840-9705.

Photo of Elizabeth Ashley by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.

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