November: Laurie Metcalf joins Nathan Lane in Mamet's new play

Laurie Metcalf is to star along side Nathan Lane in David Mamet's newest play November, opening on Broadway on 17 Jan 2008, following previews from 20 Dec 2007 (not 21 Dec as originally announced), at the Barrymore Theatre.

November, to be directed by Joe Mantello, is a contemporary comedy about a president named Charles Smith (Nathan Lane) and is set a few days before the election, in which he is running as an incumbent. The action unfolds over one day and involves civil marriage, gambling casinos, lesbians, American Indians, presidential libraries, questionable pardons and campaign contributions.

Laurie Metcalf is to play Clarice Bernstein, aide to President Smith. This will be Metcalf's second Broadway appearance, she made her Broadway debut in 'My Thing Of Love' (1995). Metcalf is best known for her performance as Jackie Harris in TV's 'Roseanne', for which she won three Emmy Awards, she was most recently nominated for an emmy for her guest appearances as Carolyn Bigsby in TV's 'Desperate Housewives'.

Nathan Lane was last seen on Broadway in Simon Gray�s dark comedy 'Butley' (2006 revival). Lane is the winner of two Tony Awards for his performances in 'The Producers' (2001) and 'A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum' (1996 revivlal). He also starred on Broadway in 'The Odd Couple' (2005 revival), 'The Frogs' (2004), 'Love! Valour! Compassion!' (1995), 'Laughter on the 23rd Floor' (1993) and 'Guys and Dolls' (1992 revival).

November will be Mamet's second political play, his first, Wag the Dog, was about a president who seeks to start an illegal war in order to distract from a sex scandel he has become embroiled in.

November is Mamet's sixth play to appear on Broadway, but his first to have its world premiere there.

Director Joe Mantello also directed Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross, which won the 2005 Tony Award for Best Revival. The producers of that revival, Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel, are also producing November.

The creative team features Scott Pask (sets), Laura Bauer (costumes) and Paul Gallo (lights).