Race: Richard Thomas to star in world premiere of David Mamet's play


Race, the new play written and directed by David Mamet, has announced that Richard Thomas will co-star with previously announced James Spader in this world premiere production, opening at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on 6 Dec 2009, following previews from 17 Nov 2009.

Thomas, who was most recently seen on Broadway in 'A Naked Girl on the Appian Way' (Jeffrey Lapin: 2005) directed by Doug Hughes and who will forever be known as 'John-Boy Walton' from the 'The Walton�s' will be celebrating his 50th year as a stage actor.

Thomas made his Broadway debut at the age of seven in 1959 in 'Sunrise at Campbobello.' His second play on Broadway was The Actors Studio Theatre production of Eugene O�Neill�s 'Strange Interlude,' which ran at the Hudson Theatre in 1963 and starred Jane Fonda, Geraldine Page, Ben Gazzara, Pat Hingle & Franchot Tone.

Race will be Thomas� tenth Broadway production. He is currently starring in a production of Terrance McNally's 'Unusual Acts of Devotion' at the La Jolla Playhouse alongside Doris Roberts and Harriet Harris.

Thomas' Broadway credits also include 'Strange Interlude' (1963 revival), 'The Playroom' (1965), 'Everything in the Garden' (1967), 'Fifth of July' (1980), 'The Front Page' (1986 revival), 'Love Letters' (1989), and 'Democracy' (2004).

Thomas has starred in more than forty films for television including Terrence McNally�s 'Andre�s Mother' and 'Wild Hearts' for Hallmark. His television series have included 'It�s A Miracle,' 'Just Cause' and 'The Walton�s,' for which he won an Emmy Award in 1972.

James Spader, who is making his Broadway debut, most recently received his third Emmy Award for his portrayal of lawyer 'Alan Shore' on ABC�s drama 'Boston Legal.' His numerous film credits include Steven Soderbergh�s 'Sex, Lies, and Videotape,' for which he received the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Race will feature scenic design by Santo Loquasto, costume design by Paul Tazewell and lighting design by Brian MacDevitt.

There has still been no announcement about the play's synopsis.

Mamet�s staging credits include the world premieres of his plays 'Oleanna,' 'The Cryptogram,' 'Boston Marriage,' and 'Faustus,' as well as 'Ricky Jay and his 52 Assistants' and 'Ricky Jay: On the Stem,' and various productions for the Atlantic Theater Company and Circle Rep.

For motion pictures, he has previously written and directed 'Redbelt,' 'Spartan,' 'Heist,' 'State 'and 'Main, Catastrophe,' 'The Winslow Boy,' 'The Spanish Prisoner,' 'Oleanna,' 'Homicide,' 'Things Change,' and 'House of Games.' For television, he has directed numerous episodes of his CBS series 'The Unit,' for which he also is creator and executive producer.

Mamet, winner of the Pulitzer Prize and New York Drama Critics Circle Award for 'Glengarry Glen Ross,' has also written 'Sexual Perversity in Chicago,' 'Lakeboat,' 'The Water Engine,' 'The Duck Variations,' 'Reunion,' 'The Blue Hour,' 'The Shawl,' 'Bobby Gould in Hell,' 'Edmond,' 'Romance,' 'The Old Neighborhood 'and the recent adaptation of 'The Voysey Inheritance.'

A two-time Academy Award nominee for 'The Verdict' and 'Wag the Dog,' Mamet�s additional film credits include 'The Postman Always Rings Twice,' 'The Untouchables,' 'Hoffa,' 'Ronin,' 'The Edge' and 'We�re No Angels.' His nonfiction work includes 'The Wicked Son,' 'True and False,' and 'Bambi vs. Godzilla.'

He is a member of New York�s Atlantic Theater Company, which he founded in 1985 with William H. Macy.

For further information please click here

Originally published on

Subscribe to our newsletter to unlock exclusive New York theatre updates!

Special offers, reviews and release dates for the best shows in town.

You can unsubscribe at any time. Privacy Policy