Next Fall: original cast will return for Broadway run

The critically acclaimed original cast will return for the Broadway run of Next Fall, the new American play by Geoffrey Nauffts and directed by Sheryl Kaller. The production will open at Broadway's Helen Hayes Theatre on 11 Mar 2010, following previews from 16 Feb.

Next Fall stars Patrick Breen as 'Adam,' Maddie Corman as 'Holly,' Sean Dugan as 'Brandon,' Patrick Heusinger as 'Luke,' Connie Ray as 'Arlene' and Cotter Smith as 'Butch.'

Next Fall had its world premiere in a Naked Angels production, opening to critical acclaim on 3 Jun 2009 at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater. The production played a sold-out run off-Broadway, extending three times, and played through to 8 Aug 2009.

Next Fall takes a witty and provocative look at faith, commitment and unconditional love. While the play’s central story focuses on the 5-year relationship between Adam and Luke, Next Fall goes beyond a typical love story and forces us to examine what it means to “believe” and what it might cost us not to.

The play opened to mostly excellent reviews: "Nauffts’ emergency bell is a clarion call: strap on your seatbelt, remember to bring your heart, and get here as fast as you can. This one is a shining star" (newyorktheatreguide.com); "stinging breeziness of a cosmopolitan comedy." (NYTimes); "surprisingly hilarious" (NY Post); "thoroughly captures the attention." (Back Stage); "potent piece of political theater" (Variety).

The production is being produced on Broadway by Barbara Manocherian, Richard Willis and Anthony Barrile in association with Naked Angels (Geoffrey Nauffts, Artistic Director; John Alexander, Managing Director; Andy Donald, Associate Artistic Director; Brittany O’Neill, Producer).

Tickets go on sale to the general public on 16 Nov 2009. More information will be announced soon.

Geoffrey Nauffts (Playwright) has worked as an actor both on and off Broadway, regionally and extensively in film and television. He's directed short plays by Kenneth Lonergan, Frank Pugliese, David Marshall Grant, Theresa Rebeck and Suzan-Lori Parks, as well as the critically acclaimed production of Steven Belber's 'Tape' in New York, Los Angeles and London. In the fall of 2007 he took over as artistic director of Naked Angels where he's been a proud member for over twenty-two years.

Sheryl Kaller (Director) most recently directed: 'Dangerous Beauty,' music by Michele Brourman, lyrics by Amanda McBroom and book by Jeannine Dominy at the American Music Theater Project and 'Adrift In Macao,' music by Peter Melnick, book and lyrics by Christopher Durang at Primary Stages and Philadelphia Theater Comapny.

Patrick Breen (Adam) is a member of Naked Angels appearing in 'Coq Au Vin' by Jon Robin Baitz, 'The Cause' by Frank Pugliese, 'The ‘Tres Riches Heures’ of the Duke of Berry' by Kenneth Lonnergan, 'Scandinavian Scorpions' by Nicole Burdette and 'Passion Play' by Pippin Parker. On Broadway he has appeared in 'Brighton Beach Memoirs' and 'Big River.'

Maddie Corman (Holly) originated the role of 'Holly' in the Naked Angels Off-Broadway production of 'Next Fall.' Maddie started her career as a teenager in multiple after school specials and such 80s movies as 'Seven Minutes in Heaven' and 'Some Kind Of Wonderful.' On stage, Maddie has appeared in numerous Off-Broadway productions including stints at the Public Theatre, Second Stage, AJT and the Directors Company.In the next few months Corman will be seen in the indie films 'Please Give' and 'It's Not You,' as well as the feature 'Morning Glory.'

Sean Dugan (Brandon). Off-Broadway: 'Next Fall,' 'The English Channel,' 'Perfect Harmony,' 'BFF,' 'Nerds,' 'Valhalla,' 'Corpus Christi,' 'Flesh & Blood,' 'Shakespeare’s R & J.'

Patrick Heusinger (Luke) is best-known for his role as 'Lord Marcus' on the CW’s hit drama 'Gossip Girl.' Additionally in television, he will next appear in a recurring role on 'Rescue Me,' and has recently guest-starred on 'The Good Wife' and '30 Rock.' He has appeared in films such as 'The Nanny Diaries,' 'Tie A Yellow Ribbon,' 'Sweetland' and 'Skin Deep.' On Broadway he has played 'Fyedka' in 'Fiddler on the Roof.'

Connie Ray (Arlene) is an actress and writer living in LA. Her film credits include 'Flags Of Our Fathers,' 'Thank You For Smoking,' 'About Schmidt,' 'Bonny Jones: Stroke Of Genius,' 'Ice Princess, ''Hope Floats,' 'Stuart Little,' 'Welcome To Paradise,' 'Speed 2: Cruise Control.' In New York, she appeared on Broadway in 'The Heidi Chronicles' and numerous Off and Off-Off Broadway shows including 'Smoke on the Mountain,' which Ray also wrote.

Cotter Smith (Butch) returned to New York from Los Angeles last summer for the Off Broadway premiere of 'Next Fall.' His last Broadway appearance was in the Lincoln Center production of Wendy Wasserstein’s 'An American Daughter.' Other New York theatre credits include Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize winning 'How I Learned To Drive' and 'The Dying Gaul' by Craig Lucas, both for the Vineyard Theatre; Charles Fuller’s Pulitzer Prize winning 'A Soldier’s Play' with the Negro Ensemble Company; Athol Fugard’s 'The Blood Knot' with Danny Glover at the Roundabout Theatre; as well as many new American plays, most as a long standing member of the Circle Repertory Company, including Lanford Wilson’s 'Burn This.'