Summer Theater

By Matt Windman | amNewYork Theater Critic

May 25, 2007

Broadway and off-Broadway stages will host returning favorite stars (including two Kevins -- Spacey and Kline), TV actors turning to the theater, and -- of course! -- an adaptation of a popular film, Legally Blonde.

The Jew of Malta/The Merchant of Venice
Oscar-winning actor F. Murray Abraham will return to the off-Broadway stage to play both Barabas and Shylock in repertory at Theater for a New Audience.
At The Ambassador, 219 West 49th St., opens Feb 4.

Follies
Six years after its disappointing, scaled-back Roundabout revival, "Follies" will return to New York with a full orchestra and an all-star cast including Christine Baranski, Victoria Clark and Victor Garber as part of City Center's acclaimed Encores! series.
At City Center, 130 West 55th St., opens Feb 8.

King Lear
Kevin Kline's resume of leading roles in Shakespeare plays at the Public includes Richard III, Henry V, Hamlet (twice), Benedick and Duke. Kline will dye his hair gray and alter his mind to play Shakespeare's most fallen monarch. James Lapine directs and Michael Cerveris will co-star as Kent.
At the Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St., previews start Feb 9.

Salvage
"The Coast of Utopia," Tom Stoppard's acclaimed historical trilogy about the birth of Russian intellectualism in the mid-19th century will premiere its final segment next month at Lincoln Center. "Salvage" follows the same principals as before over the course of 12 years in London and Geneva. Anyone who has not yet seen parts one or two is strongly encouraged to make the necessary reservations.
At The Vivian Beaumont, 150 West 65th St., opens Feb 15.

Talk Radio Following his Tony-winning turn in "Glengarry Glen Ross," Liev Schreiber returns to Broadway to host the revival of Eric Bogosian's "Talk Radio." The comedy follows an acerbic, Howard Stern-style radio talk show host whose program is about to go national. The play was also made into a 1988 film directed by Olive Stone.
At the Longacre, 220 West 48th St., opens Feb 25.

Prelude to a Kiss
Easily Craig Lucas's best play, this romantic comedy about a dying old man who exchanges souls with a young woman on her wedding day, leading to a very confused groom, will receive the Roundabout revival treatment with John Mahoney of "Frasier" and Annie Parisse of "Law & Order." The piece is known from its 1992 film version with Alec Baldwin and Meg Ryan.
At the American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd St., opens March 8.

Curtains
Although lyricist Fred Ebb passed away two years ago, his last musical with composer John Kander will finally make it to Broadway this spring. Unlike their dark hits "Chicago" and "Cabaret," "Curtains" is an uproarious, old-fashioned, backstage musical comedy mystery. Its impressive cast includes David Hyde Pierce, Jason Danieley, Karen Ziemba, Debra Monk, Noah Racey and Edward Hibbert.
At the Al Hirschfeld, 302 West 45th St., opens March 22.

A Moon for the Misbegotten
It's been two years since Kevin Spacey took over London's Old Vic, eight years since Spacey last appeared on Broadway, and seven years since Eugene O'Neill's intimate drama "A Moon for the Misbegotten" was last revived on Broadway. To our luck, this acclaimed play makes it back to New York. Spacey will act alongside Eve Best and Colm Meaney.
At the Brooks Atkinson, 256 West 47th St., opens April 9.

Legally Blonde
The next of a never-ending line of movie-to-musical adaptations, this comedy about sorority girl-turned-Harvard-law-student Elle Woods will be the first musical with direction by the much-liked Broadway choreographer Jerry Mitchell. Laura Bell Bundy, who was the first to replace Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda in "Wicked," will play the lead.
At the Palace, 1554 Broadway, opens April 29.

110 in the Shade
Though Harvey Schmidt and Tom Jones' "The Fantasticks" remains the world's longest-running musical, their overlooked gem based on "The Rainmaker" has been long overdue for a Broadway revival. Audra McDonald will play the lead role of Lizzie alongside John Cullum and Steve Kazee.
At Studio 54, 254 West 54th St., opens May 9.