The Old Friends extends run by one week

The Signature Theatre Company have extended their world premiere of Horton Foote's The Old Friends for a second time. The production will now play through to 13 Oct 2013.

The Old Friends opened at the Signature Center's Irene Diamond Stage on 12 Sep 2013, following previews from 20 Aug 2013. The production was originally scheduled to close on 29 Sep 2013.

The show opened to mixed, but mostly good reviews: Lively potboiler (NY Times); An overheated melodrama (Record); A dazzling production (Bloomberg); Fascinating if problematic work (Hollywood Reporter).

Matriarch Mamie Borden and the remaining members of two longtime Texas farming families await a visit from Mamie's son Hugo and his wife Sybil. When Sybil arrives with alarming news, The Old Friends on opposing sides must confront the issues surrounding legacy, loyalty, and the meaning of happiness that have hounded them for generations.

Directed by Michael Wilson, The Old Friends stars Tony Award winner Betty Buckley (Cats) as 'Gertrude Hayhurst Sylvester Ratliff', and Tony nominees Hallie Foote (Dividing the Estate) as 'Sibyl Borden,' Lois Smith (Buried Child) as 'Mamie Borden' and Veanne Cox (Company) as 'Julia Price.'

The cast also features' Adam LeFevre (Priscilla Queen of the Desert) as 'Albert Price,' Sean Lyons (Gore Vidal's The Best Man) as 'Tom Underwood,' Novella Nelson (Having Our Say) as 'Hattie,' Melle Powers ("Chappelle's Show") as 'Catherine' and Cotter Smith (Next Fall) as 'Howard Ratliff.'

The design team includes Jeff Cowie (Scenic Design), David C. Woolard (Costume Design), Rui Rita (Lighting Design) and John Gromada (Sound Design).

The Old Friends replaces the previously announced Edward Albee's 'Laying an Egg', which Signature remains committed to premiering in a future season.

Signature has a long history with Horton Foote, who was the theatre's fourth Playwright-in-Residence during its 1994-95 Season. Signature produced the world premiere of 'The Last of the Thorntons' in its 2000-01 Season and 'The Trip to Bountiful,' featuring Lois Smith, in its 2005-06 Season. During the 2009-10 Season, Signature co-produced the world premiere of the three-part 'The Orphans' Home Cycle' with Hartford Stage, directed by Michael Wilson.

Michael Wilson directs the Broadway revival of Horton Foote's The Trip to Bountiful, starring Cicely Tyson in her Tony Award-winning role as 'Carrie Watts', playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre until 09 Oct 2013