Harris, Roberts, Thomas, Dizzia Star In UNUSUAL ACTS OF DEVOTION Beginning 6/7

Recently seen starring as "Lt. Sean Macklin" in Fox Home Entertainment's "Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia," beginning June 7, 2009, actor Joe Manganiello is set to star alongside Tony award winner Harriet Harris, Emmy award winners Doris Roberts ("Everybody Loves Raymond") and Richard Thomas ("The Waltons") and Maria Dizzia in the west coast premiere of multiple Tony award winner, Pulitzer Prize Finalist, and legendary American playwright Terrence McNally's new play, "Unusual Acts of Devotion."

Manganiello stars as "Leo," a native New York jazz musician celebrating his fifth wedding anniversary with his wife "Nadine." Of the role, he shares, "Every trained actor studies Terrence McNally at some point, it's just part of your education, but having the opportunity to work intensely with him on his newest play is unfathomable... there are no words... he is one of the greatest playwrights to have ever lived and his characters are so thoughtful and heartfelt and familiar. I had the honor of working alongside Terrence in creating the role of ‘Leo' last summer at the Ojai Playwright's Conference and am beside myself that he has given me his blessing to play him again in the west coast premiere at La Jolla."

Running June 7th-28th at the La Jolla Playhouse at the University of California, San Diego, "Unusual Acts of Devotion" charts the relationship between five individuals, damaged cities and damaged souls, loves lost and recovered, and the joys of simple but enduring acts of devotion over the course of one revealing night on the roof their East Village apartment building.

Since earning a BFA in acting from the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama, Manganiello has excelled in television, film and theatre. On the stage, Joe reprised his role as "The Chick Magnet" in the May 2007 NYC premiere of Gloria Calederon Kellet's monologue show SKIRTS & FLIRTS, which was originated at LA's Hudson Theatre and was a finalist for HBO's Aspen Comedy Festival. Then in July 2008, Joe was reunited with former Carnegie Mellon professor Geoffrey Hitch, who directed him in the role of "Stanley Kowalski" in A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at the West Virginia Public Theatre.

Off stage, in addition to his recent role in "Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia," he has played opposite Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst, and James Franco in Spider Man and Spider Man - 3, both directed by Sam Raimi. Joe also returned this season to the hit teen CW drama, "One Tree Hill" as "Owen," the love interest of Sophia Bush's character. In addition to many other TV roles, he has also recurred on FOX's "Til Death," NBC's "ER," VH1's "So NoTORIous," and the hit CBS series, "How I Met Your Mother."

For more information on Joe Manganiello please visit www.joemanganiello.com.

 

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