ROUNDABOUT BLOG

It is my pleasure to share with you some news about the upcoming season.

Opening at the Laura Pels Theatre next fall will be the New York premiere of The Understudy, by Theresa Rebeck, directed by Roundabout’s very own Scott Ellis, and featuring the incredible talent of Julie White.

Box office heroes and washed-up has-beens take heed: the play’s almost the thing. In this bitingly witty and entertaining comedy, the lights of Broadway cast an affectionate glow over this look at one of the most notorious roles in the theatre: the understudy.

It is truly an honor to welcome Theresa Rebeck to the Roundabout family. Theresa’s work spans television, film, theater and fiction, and following countless productions all over Manhattan she made her Broadway debut just last season with Mauritius.

I am always grateful for an opportunity to showcase the work of my dear friend, Scott Ellis. As you know, Scott directed our first show at the Pels this past season as well (Streamers), in addition to our winter benefit concert of A Little Night Music.

And, needless to say, I am happy to welcome back Julie White, who last appeared on the Roundabout stage in 2004 in Fiction. She has since won a Tony Award for Best Actress for her performance in The Little Dog Laughed (also directed by Scott).

Both Scott and Julie have been a part of the development of The Understudy, having (respectively) directed and starred in our Donor Reading of the piece last season.

The design team for The Understudy will include Alexander Dodge (sets), Tom Broecker (costumes), Kenneth Posner (lights) and Obadiah Eaves (original music & sound). Previews will begin October 9th, and the official opening is scheduled for November 5th.

Todd