Mamet’s ‘Life in Theatre’ to open on Broadway

February 7, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

NEW YORK — There seems to be a David Mamet play every year on Broadway. Next season now has its own. Producers Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel and Steve Traxler say a revival of Mamet’s “A Life in the Theatre” will open this fall in New York.

No casting was announced, but Richards said Thursday the producers expect two major actors will fill the roles originally created in New York by Ellis Rabb and Peter Evans.

The play, directed by Neil Pepe, is a backstage tale about the relationship between an older and younger performer.

Pepe also directed the 2008 Broadway revival of Mamet’s “Speed-the-Plow” and his “Keep Your Pantheon” off-Broadway last fall. Mamet currently is represented on Broadway with “Race,” starring James Spader, David Alan Grier, Kerry Washington and Richard Thomas.

Springsteen sues

NEW YORK — Bruce Springsteen is suing a Manhattan pub, saying it failed to pay an annual licensing fee to an organization that distributes royalty payments to artists. Springsteen claims the pub violated his copyrights by letting an unidentified band perform two of his songs for profit. The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers brought the lawsuit last week under Springsteen’s name. ASCAP said it’s important to set a precedent that protects the rights of songwriters everywhere. ASCAP said Connolly’s Pub — and other establishments — should know royalties are part of the music business.

Today’s birthdays

Comedian Robert Smigel (Triumph the Insult Comic Dog) is 50. Actor James Spader is 50. Country singer Garth Brooks is 48. Comedian Chris Rock is 45. Guitarist Wes Borland of Limp Bizkit is 35. Actor Ashton Kutcher is 32. Actress Tina Majorino is 25.