A Life in the Theatre: opening and closing dates

The Broadway premiere of David Mamet's A Life in the Theatre, will open at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre on 12 Oct 2010, following previews from 21 Sep, and play a limited engagement through to 2 Jan 2011.

Directed by Neil Pepe, who directed the revival of Mamet's 'Speed-The-Plow' on Broadway last season, A Life in the Theatre stars Patrick Stewart and T.R. Knight.

Stewart ('Robert) last appeared on Broadway in the title role of Rupert Goold's 2008 modern retelling of 'Macbeth,' for which he earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play. Since leaving Broadway in May 2008, Stewart starred in a dual role as 'Claudius' and 'The Ghost' in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of 'Hamlet,' winning an Olivier Award for his performance; as well as opposite Sir Ian McKellen in a sold-out 2009 West End production of Samuel Beckett's tragicomedy 'Waiting for Godot.' Stewart, though a highly respected stage actor, is best known for his role as "Captain Picard" in the TV series "Star-Trek: The Next Generation."

T.R. Knight is best known for his SAG Award winning and Emmy nominated role as "Dr. George O'Malley" on the hit ABC drama "Grey's Anatomy", T.R. Knight has also appeared on television in the CBS sitcom "Charlie Lawrence", opposite Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf. Knight has previously appeared on Broadway in the 2001 revival of 'Noises Off!,' and the 2003 Roundabout Theatre Company revival of 'Tartuffe.'

Describing life in the footlights from an actor's point of view, A Life in the Theatre focuses on the relationship between two thespians: 'Robert,' (Patrick Stewart) an older, experienced performer; and 'John,' (T.R. Knight) a relative newcomer. Though Robert's guidance is welcomed by John at first, as the play progresses Robert falters as an actor and mentor, and John emerges as a mature actor.

Mamet was inspired to write A Life in the Theatre by what he had observed backstage as well as by his own experiences in his early career as an actor.

The show will reunite Mamet with Tony Award winning scenic designer Santo Loquasto who designed the set for 'Race,' 'Glengarry Glen Ross' and the original 'American Buffalo.' The show also reunites Mamet with both Laura Bauer, who designed costumes for 'Speed-The-Plow' and 'November,' and with Tony Award winning lighting designer Kenneth Posner, who designed the lights for 'Glengarry Glen Ross.'

A Life in the Theatre will be produced on Broadway by Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel and Steve Traxler, the lead producers of Mamet's current 'Race' and recent production of 'Speed-The-Plow.'

A Life in the Theatre had its London premiere at the West End's Apollo Theatre from 27 Jan - 30 Apr 2005. The show starred Patrick Stewart as (Robert) and Joshua Jackson (John), and was directed by Lindsay Posner.

The London production opened to mixed reviews, but Charles Spencer of the Telegraph wrote "Proves funny, affecting and, by Mamet's macho standards, unexpectedly tender."; Michael Billington of the Guardian said "Perfectly enjoyable"; Benedict Nightingale of The Times praised the production saying "Lasts 85 minutes, but, unlike some pieces that are aeons longer, it packs three plays into its short, enjoyable span."; and Peter Brown of www.londontheatre.co.uk wrote "successfully commands the attention of the audience, and it's enjoyable as well as humorous."