Let the Race Begin

David Mamet's new play, which has a provocative four-letter word of a title, starts performances on Broadway tonight at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. The four-person Race stars James Spader (Boston Legal), David Alan Grier (In Living Color, Broadway's A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), Kerry Washington (The Last King of Scotland, Ray), and Richard Thomas (TV's The Waltons, Broadway's Democracy) and is directed by Mamet, in his Broadway directorial debut. The play is about a law firm - made up of two black lawyers and one white one - who have the opportunity to defend a white man charged of a crime against a young black woman. The production will have its official Broadway opening at the Barrymore on December 6.

It's Opening Night For Oleanna At The John Golden Theatre

With recent revivals of Glengarry Glen Ross, American Buffalo, and Speed-the-Plow, Broadway has been a great friend to playwright David Mamet lately. Tonight marks the opening night for the latest Mamet revival, Oleanna, starring Bill Pullman (The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia? on Broadway) and Julia Stiles (Shakespeare in the Park's Twelfth Night, Off-Broadway's Fran's Bed) as a college professor and student, respectively. The Doug Hughes-directed production of the play about sexual politics was seen previously in Los Angeles at the Mark Taper Forum, and now hits Broadway's John Golden Theatre for an open run. David Mamet will next be represented on Broadway with a new drama, the race-related play Race starring James Spader, David Alan Grier, Kerry Washington, and Richard Thomas.

David Alan Grier and James Spader To Star in Mamet's Race

Casting announcements have been trickling in for David Mamet's new play, Race, arriving at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre this autumn. Film and TV star James Spader (Boston Legal), Kerry Washington (Ray), and Richard Thomas (John Boy on The Waltons) are all set to be in the play, and today it was announced that actor/comedian David Alan Grier will be joining the cast as well. Best known for his comedic work on the '90s sketch comedy TV show In Living Color, David Alan Grier has been on Broadway several times before, most recently the Broadway revival of A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. He made his Broadway debut back in 1981 playing Jackie Robinson in the play The First. Although Race is hotly anticipated, the subject of the piece has remained hush-hush - though most have guessed that it deals with racial relations. Playwright Mamet (Speed-the-Plow, American Buffalo, Glengarry Glen Ross) will direct this production of his own work, marking the first time he has directed a play on Broadway.

November Ends Broadway Run

The David Mamet comedy November, starring Nathan Lane, ended its Broadway run today. The play about a fictional U.S. president up for re-election opened at Broadway's Barrymore Theatre in January and was greeted with lukewarm reviews. Lane's presence helped November to continue running on Broadway throughout the spring, but after it was announced that Lane would depart the production in July, the producers decided to go ahead and close the show.

Esparza To Join Broadway-Bound Speed-the-Plow

The forthcoming Broadway revival of David Mamet's play Speed-the-Plow has just added a new cast member - Raul Esparza. Esparza, whose most recent Broadway gig was in the Broadway revival of Pinter's The Homecoming, will play Hollywood producer Charlie Fox. As previously announced, Jeremy Piven (TV's Entourage) will be starring in the play in the role of Bobby Gould.

Nathan Lane Exits Broadway July 13

Nathan Lane, star of the David Mamet election-year comedy November, will depart the Broadway play on July 13. No word yet on whether or not the role will be re-cast or if the show will close at that time. November is currently playing at Broadway's Ethel Barrymore Theatre and also features Laurie Metcalf and Dylan Baker in the cast.

Jeremy Piven To Make Broadway Debut

Actor Jeremy Piven, who has enjoyed recent attention for his role as Hollywood agent Ari Gold on HBO's Entourage, will make his Broadway debut later this year in a Broadway revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow. Piven will play another Hollywood hotshot, film executive Bobby Gould, in Mamet's biting satire. Speed-the-Plow originally played Broadway in 1988, in a production that starred Joe Mantegna and Madonna. The Broadway revival starring Piven will open on October 23, but the name of the theater and his co-stars have yet to be announced. Although this will be his first time on Broadway, Piven did appear Off-Broadway not long ago in Neil Labute's play Fat Pig.

It's November on Broadway Tonight

David Mamet's new play November has its official Broadway opening this evening at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Starring Nathan Lane, November is a farcical comedy about an unpopular U.S. president in the midst of a disastrous re-election campaign.