Blog Stage - Acting in Film, TV, Theatre - Backstage

Gallagher Plays Winnie in 'Happy Days'

Patty Gallagher will take over the role as Winnie in Happy Days. California Shakespeare Theater announced she will replace Marsha Mason, who pulled out of the production due to personal reasons.

Joan Mankin will serve as Winnie's understudy; and, Dan Hiatt will play Winnie's monosyllabic husband, Willie. 

Gallagher, an associate professor of theatre arts at University of California Santa Cruz where she directs many theater courses, has performed many clown traditions. She holds a doctorate in theatre from University of Wisconsin–Madison, and is currently a director in residence for the Clown Conservatory, San Francisco School of Circus Arts.

Happy Days' performances begin August 12-September 6 in Orinda, CA, in the bay area. Opening is August 15. Mankin will perform as the understudy on August 25-27 and September 1-3.

-- London Clark

Rialto Roundup

On the Broadway burner: A stage version of "Summer Stock," the 1950 MGM musical which starred Judy Garland and Gene Kelly. This was Garland's last complete film on her MGM contract. It's best remembered for her iconic performance of the number "Get Happy" which was filmed several months after the picture was completed and producers needed a snappy, jazzy finish. The new show will feature four numbers from the film including "Get Happy," and new songs by Thomas Tierney and Jeffrey Haddow. An industry-invited presentation will be held next week (Aug. 6 and 7) at the News 42nd Street Studios.

'Maria Full of Grace' Star Joins Broderick in 'Starry Messenger' Premiere

Catalina Sandino Moreno will star opposite Matthew Broderick in the world premiere of The Starry Messenger, Kenneth Lonergan's new play about "an astronomy teacher whose midlife crisis is thrown into relief by an unexpected affair that changes everything."

Lonergan says he wrote the new play specifically for Broderick, since they both took an astronomy class together at the Hayden Planetarium as high school students in NYC. Lonergan will also direct the Off-Broadway production. 

Complete Casting for 'Little House on the Prairie'

Complete casting has been announced for the new musical, Little House on the Prairie, featuring Melissa Gilbert as "Ma."

Gilbert, who starred as Laura in the television series, will be joined on stage by Steve Blanchard, former Beauty and the Beast star, to play Charles "Pa" Ingalls. The cast also features Kara Lindsay (Laura Ingalls); Kevin Massey as Almanzo Wilder; Paper Mill; Kate Loprest as Nellie Oleson; Alessa Neeck as Mary; Carly Rose Sonenclar as Carrie Ingalls; Taylor Bera, Michael Boxleitner, Megan Campanile, Kurt Engh, Shawn Hamilton, Jessica Hershberg, Meredith Inglesby, Caroline Innerbichler, Lizzie Klemper, Garen McRoberts, Brian Muller, Will Ray, Gayle Samuels, Dustin Sullivan, Todd Thurston, Tony Vierling and Christian Whelan.

Make Yourself a "Mad Man"

As part of the promotion for the upcoming third season of its hit series Mad Men, AMC is encouraging fans of the show to insert themselves into Don Draper's world at ad agency Sterling Cooper. Visit AMCTV.com to create a personalized character and "Mad Men Yourself."

Here I am trying to fit in with my fellow cast mates co-workers, enjoying a midday drink before our next big sales pitch. Or something.

WGAW to Rep CBS Web Writers

Internet writers at CBS studios in L.A. voted unanimously to be represented by the WGA, West, the Guild announced today. "This is good news for new media writers," WGAW President Patric M. Verrone said in a statement. "Congratulations and welcome to the Writers Guild. As more and more news, sports, and promotional content is distributed on the Internet, it is essential that its writers win respect for their work and all the benefits of a WGA contract."

Joey Lauren Adams Joins 'United States of Tara'

Joey Lauren Adams is joining the cast of United States of Tara for the Showtime series' second season. Adams (Chasing Amy, Big Daddy) plays Pammy, a "funny and warm barmaid who has a history of picking the wrong guys." She falls head over heels in love with Buck (Toni Collette's male alter ego on the multiple personality-themed show) and her luck changes.

Adams has signed on for at least three episodes. The second season of United States of Tara premieres early 2010.

-- Daniel Lehman

Tyra Banks Will Be Fierce on 'Gossip Girl'

Former model-turned-media mogul Tyra Banks will guest star on the CW series Gossip Girl this fall. Remarkably, Banks will not be playing herself. She will appear as an actress co-starring in a film with Hilary Duff’s character in the fourth episode of the show's upcoming third season.

This is Banks' first acting gig since guest starring in a 2004 episode of American Dreams.

-- Daniel Lehman

Complete Cast Announced for 'Aftermath'

 Complete casting has been announced for the New York Theatre Workshop's Aftermath, written by Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen.

The characters include "a dermatologist, a husband and wife team of cooks, an Imam, an Iraqi Christian young mother, a husband and wife theatre director and visual artist, and a pharmacist." Aftermath's cast will feature Fajer Al Kaisi, Amir Arison, Leila Buck, Maha Chehlaoui, Demosthenes Chrysan, Daoud Heidami, Omar Koury, Laith Nakli and Rasha Zamamiri Wescott.

Former Louisiana Film Commish Sentenced

More troubling news on the tax-incentive front. Just week's after a study showed that Massachusetts' rebates for film and TV production were losing the commonwealth 85 cents on every dollar spent, and with the future of New York's city and state programs still in doubt, now comes word (via Eriq Gardner at THR, Esq.) that the man who recruited film productions to Louisiana as part of that state's incentive effort will serve two years in prison for accepting bribes.