by Jon Robin Baitz
In Santa Monica: CAST | PRODUCTION CREW
Limited Run October 22-25, 1997
At Manhattan Theatre Club, NYC: CAST | PRODUCTION CREW
Previews began January 27, 1998
Opened February 17, 1998
Closed April 26, 1998
SYNOPSIS | MERCHANDISE | REVIEWS
Nathan Lane
as Davis Mizlansky
In October of 1997, Nathan Lane appeared in the premiere production of Jon Robin Baitz' comedy, Mizlansky/Zilinsky or 'schmucks' in Santa Monica, California for L.A. Theatre Works . With Nathan taking the place of previously scheduled Adam Arkin in the role of Davis Mizlansky, the production played to sold-out audiences for the limited 4-day run.
Only three months later, the play was an MTC production at City Center Stage 1 with Nathan reprising his role and being joined by Lewis J. Stadlen (Forum, Laughter on the 23rd Floor) as Zilinsky.
Baitz is known for previous plays, Substance of Fire (also a film), A Fair Country, Three Hotels, and The Film Society (in which Nathan appeared in 1987). He has created in M/Z a dark portrait of the Hollywood system and a set of interesting characters, some to be admired and some not.
The New York production opened February 17 and ran through April 19. Most tickets were taken quickly by MTC subscribers and the run virtually sold out, except for a period of time when Nathan was on vacation. The City Center Stage 1 is an intimate theatre, seating an audience of 299.
CAST (in Santa Monica)
Samantha Bennett (Wendi Fink)
Julie Kavner (Esther Arthur)
Nathan Lane (Davis Mizlansky)
Richard Masur (Alan Tolkin)
Rob Morrow (Paul Trecker)
Paul Sand (Sam Zilinsky)
Grant Shaud (Miles Brook)
Harry Shearer (Arthur Firnbach, Mr. Braithwait)
Kurtwood Smith (Horton De Vries)
Robert Walden (Lionel Hart)
PRODUCTION CREW (in Santa Monica)
Ron West (Director)
Laura Hall and the Expatriates (Incidental Music)
Susan Albert Loewenberg (Producing Director for L.A.Theatre Works)
LA Theatre Works and DoubleTree Suites (Producers)
Recorded Live for Broadcast by KCRW Santa Monica "The Play's the Thing"
CAST (at MTC)
Jennifer Albano (Dusty Fink)
Mark Blum (Alan Tolkin)
Glenn Fitzgerald (Paul Trecker)
Nathan Lane (Davis Mizlansky)
Larry Pine (Horton De Vries)
Paul Sand (Lionel Hart)
Lewis J. Stadlen (Sam Zilinsky)
Lee Wilkof (Miles Brook)
PRODUCTION CREW (at MTC)
Joe Mantello (Director)
Santo Loquasto (Set Design)
Ann Roth (Costume Design)
Brian MacDevitt (Lighting Design)
Manhattan Theatre Club (Producers)
SYNOPSIS
-- from L.A.Theatre Works
The play is available in paperback form from Amazon Books. The Santa Monica production is also available on audio cassette and CD at LATheatreworks.org or call 800-708-8863 to order. Or email latworks@aol.com or fax 310-827-4949. An audio cassette (listed as produced by LA Theatre Works) is also available at Amazon on audio cassette and CD.
REVIEWS
David Spencer, Aisle Say
"One of the sharpest, funniest, most literate and satisfying Hollywood comedies ever."Alexis Greene, InTheater
"... [Nathan Lane] has rarely been better ... a sharp production of a blunt-edged play ..."Vincent Canby, New York Times*
"... very entertaining, slightly off-center exploration of breathtaking sleaze ..."Linda Winer, Newsday
" loaded with wonderfully observed, delightfully sly, deceptively offhand humor"
Jerome Weeks, Dallas Morning News
" As cheesy as Mizlansky and Zilinsky are, it's characteristic of Mr. Baitz's comedy that they almost make double-crossing each other look like sad, noble acts of friendship."Clifford A. Ridley, Philadelphia Inquirer
"...for the most part, laugh-out-loud funny ..."Ben Brantley, New York Times*
"Even an Amoral Rat May Be Lovable"
Michael Kuchwara, Associated Press
"...superb cast...Lane in good form...despite the presence of Lane and Stadlen, a slow evening."Elyse Sommer, CurtainUp
"... Nathan Lane's bravura display of his ability to portray the deeper layers beneath the comic persona ... "Robert Feldberg, The Bergen Record
"... entertaining, but awkward ... Lane in very good form as he rattles off bursts of one-liners as the cornered but ever-resourceful Mizlansky ... "
USA Today
"... the most engaging play so far from Baitz ..." 3 stars
Greg Evans, Variety
"... caustic, funny play ... strong performances from the entire cast ... solid physical production"
Clive Barnes, New York Post
Ouch!Fintan O'Toole, New York Daily News
" ... it goes nowhere ... never achieves the mad momentum of The Producers ... "
Other sites:
Playwright's Collaborator: The Kid He Used to Be
by Jon Robin Baitz
New York Times 2/1/98
Comments or corrections, please contact
webmaster@nathanlane.com
