DINNER WITH THE BOYS' Dan Lauria to Be Honored This Weekend

Dan Lauria, the revered actor and now author of the new play DINNER WITH THE BOYS -- to be given its Off-Broadway debut this spring at the Acorn Theatre on Theater Row (410 W. 42 St.) -- will be recognized for his contributions to television and athletics: on Friday, April 10 he will receive the Distinguished American Award from the New Haven County Chapter of the National Football Foundation in Connecticut, and the beloved television series, THE WONDER YEARS in which Mr. Lauria starred for several years, will be honored with a special award on this week's TV Land Awards. Also on Tuesday, April 14 at noon, Mr. Lauria will be guest speaker before the Broadway Association in Manhattan.

Praised for his performances in LOMBARDI on Broadway and many other stage productions, as well as for his work on the television series THE WONDER YEARS and SULLIVAN & SON, Mr. Lauria now joins the ranks of playwrights with DINNER WITH THE BOYS, previewing April 21 prior to its official opening night May 4.

Olympus Theatricals -- whose numerous Broadway credits include LOVE LETTERS, LUCKY BUY, ARCADIA and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES -- has also recently joined DINNER WITH THE BOYS as producers.

Mr. Lauria stars in DINNER WITH THE BOYS -- along with Ray Abruzzo ("The Sopranos") and Richard Zavaglia (DONNIE BRASCO). The production is directed by Frank Megna.

DINNER WITH THE BOYS is a comedy about two wise guys from the old neighborhood who find themselves at odds with the family and must serve up perfectly seasoned results with their puttanesca in order to escape danger themselves. As they await their own fate in 'the wilds of New Jersey,' this Italian odd couple reflects on their days of glory while preparing dinner for special guests, all the while wondering, "will this meal be their last supper?"

DINNER WITH THE BOYS was most recently presented to considerable acclaim at The New Jersey Rep in Long Branch.

DINNER WITH THE BOYS has scenic by Jessica Parks; costume design by Patricia E. Doherty; lighting design by Jill Nagle; and sound design by Matt Kraus.

Dan Lauria has appeared as a guest star in over seventy television episodic programs and more than twenty Movie Of The Week productions. He has a score of film credits which include, STAKEOUT, ANOTHER STAKEOUT, and the commercial blockbuster, INDEPENDENCE DAY and the Frank Miller production of Will Esiner's; THE SPIRIT. Dan was also in the cult comedy: ALIEN TRESPASS. Dan is a very familiar face to the off-off, off and regional theatre scene having performed, written or directed over 50 professional stage productions. In 2010/11 Dan was seen on Broadway as the legendary coach Vince Lombardi in the long running production of LOMBARDI, directed by Mr. Thomas Kail, with the beautiful and talented Judith Light playing Marie Lombardi. Dan returned to Broadway in the 2013 & the 2014 production of the Tony nominated; A CHRISTMAS STORY, The Musical directed by John Rando. However, Dan is most recognized as the Dad on the highly acclaimed Emmy winning, ABC television show, THE WONDER YEARS. The last three seasons Dan was seen as Jack Sullivan on the TBS sitcom; SULLIVAN & SON with Steve Byrne as SON. With Cathryn Fransworth, Dan has also co-authored The Godfather Tales, a children's book series inspired from the original stories Dan would tell his godson, Julian. Proceeds from the books' sales benefit a charity assisting single moms. Mr. Lauria's award from the National Football Foundation in New Haven is most fitting as he was an outstanding football player during his years at Southern Connecticut State University.

Ray Abruzzo played Little Carmine for four seasons on HBO's "The Sopranos," and also appeared on television in "The Practice" and "Dynasty."

Richard Zavaglia is a stage and screen veteran who appeared on Broadway in CHAPTER TWO and PASSIONE, and whose numerous film appearances include DONNIE BRASCO with Al Pacino.

Frank Megna directed the New Jersey Rep production of DINNER WITH THE BOYS, and as an actor has appeared in THE SEEKERS, VERONIC CLARE and other productions.

Pat Addiss has been a producer of Broadway productions of VANYA & SONIA & MASHA & SPIKE, SPRING AWAKENING , THE 39 STEPS, PASSING STRANGE, CHITA RIVERA: THE DANCER'S LIFE, PROMISES, PROMISES and A CHRISTMAS STORY, THE MUSICAL. Off-Broadway she has recently produced BUYER & CELLAR, HOUSEWIVES OF MANNHEIM and BECOMING DR RUTH.

DINNER WITH THE BOYS will perform Tuesdays at 7pm, Wednesdays 2pm and 8pm, Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm, Saturdays 2pm and 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Tickets are $75 ($95 for premium seating) and can be purchased by calling Telecharge 212-239-6200 or 800-432-7250 or online at www.telecharge.com.

For more about the show, visit www.DinnerWiththeBoysPlay.com.

To post a comment, you must register and login.