Theater News

Gambatese, McMartin, Pittu, et al. Set for Broadway’s Is He Dead?

David Pittu
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
David Pittu
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

Jeremy Bobb, Marylouise Burke, Patricia Conolly, Jenn Gambatese, Byron Jennings, Michael McGrath, John McMartin, David Pittu, Bridget Regan, and Tom Alan Robbins will join Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz in the world premiere of Is He Dead?, a comedy written in 1898 by Mark Twain and adapted by David Ives, to begin previews at Broadway’s Lyceum Theatre on November 8. The production, which will open on November 29, will be directed by Tony Award winner Michael Blakemore.

The play, which is inspired by the posthumous bidding war that broke out between the U.S. and France over Jean-Francois Millet’s painting “The Angelus,” concerns a group of poor artists who stage the death of their mentor in order to drive up the price of his paintings.
Ives’ previous work includes All in the Timing, Polish Joke, and the concert adaptations of 18 musicals for City Center Encores!

The creative team includes Peter J. Davison (sets), Martin Pakledinaz (costumes), and Peter Kaczorowski (lighting). Blakemore made history by winning the Tony for Best Director of a Play (for Copenhagen) and Best Director of a Musical (for Kiss Me, Kate) in the same year. His other credits include Noises Off, City of Angels, and Deuce.

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Is He Dead?

Closed: March 9, 2008