A gay play in a bathouse

 
 
 
 

Roundabout Theatre Company presents THE RITZ, an uproarious comedy from acclaimed playwright Terrence McNally (Love! Valour! Compassion!, Master Class). Directed by two-time Tony Award® winner Joe Mantello (Wicked, Assassins), this hysterical farce stars Academy Award® nominee Rosie Perez and two-time Tony® nominee Kevin Chamberlin (Seussical, Dirty Blonde).

When garbageman Gaetano Proclo's brother-in-law orders him killed, he hides in the most unsuspecting place -- a gay bathhouse! Hilarity and chaos ensue, as Gaetano and his outrageous new friends hatch a plan to save his life.

The cast will also include Brooks Ashmanskas (Chris), Ashlie Atkinson (Vivian Proclo), Patrick Kerr (Claude Perkins), Lucas Near-Verbrugghe (Tiger), Terrence Riordan (Michael Brick), Seth Rudetsky (Sheldon), Adam Sietz (Abe), David Turner (Duff), Lenny Venito (Carmine Vespucci), Ryan Idol (Patron), Teddy Coluca (Patron), Billy Magnussen (Patron), Mark Leydorf (Patron), Matthew Montelongo(Patron), Angela Pietropinto (Aunt Vera), Jeffrey Evan Thomas (Patron), Josh Breckenridge (Patron), Justin Clynes (Patron), Andrew Cooksey (Patron), Lukas Hassel (Patron), Nick Mayo (Patron) and Dillon Porter (Patron).The Ritz will feature choreography by Christopher Gattelli and musical direction by Seth Rudetsky. The design team includes Scott Pask (Sets), William Ivey Long (Costumes), Peggy Eisenhauer and Jules Fisher (Lights) and Tony Meola (Sound)."The Ritz" is among the few Broadway shows still playing in spite of a stagehands strike that shut down more than two dozen plays and musicals. "The Ritz" is a revival of Terrence McNally's 1975 musical set in a gay bathhouse, starring Rosie Perez. Appropriately, the Roundabout Theatre has staged "The Ritz" in the old Studio 54 space.

"The Ritz" is one of several shows that have separate contracts with the Local 1 union that allowed them to remain open, and doing strong business. Among the other plays still live are "Young Frankenstein," "Mary Poppins, " "Xanadu" and "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee."

Broadway's stagehands and theater producers resumed talks Saturday at an undisclosed location in their first meeting since a walkout by Local1 shut down more than two dozen plays and musicals.

The two sides met Saturday for the first time since Nov. 8, when Thomas C. Short, president of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, gave the local authority to strike. The walkout two days later forced 27 productions to cancel shows during the run-up to one of the most lucrative times of the year for Broadway, Thanksgiving week.

Local1 and the League of American Theatres and Producers would not comment on the resumption of talks.

Pressure to settle the contract dispute is increasing as the holiday approaches and losses mount for the shows, which include some of Broadway's biggest hits such as "Wicked," "Jersey Boys," "The Phantom of the Opera," "The Lion King" and "Mamma Mia!"

Ticket sales for Thanksgiving week could easily top $1 million for several of those shows. One limited-run, holiday attraction, "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas" has 15 performances scheduled for next week to take advantage of the crowds expected in the city for the start of the Christmas shopping season.

The stagehands, who include scenery and prop handlers, carpenters, electricians, and lighting and sound technicians, have been working without a contract since the end of July. Negotiations have focused on work rules -- how many stagehands are required to open a Broadway show and keep it running.