Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks

Hamill and McClanahan share 'Dance Lessons' in FL, March 18 to April 13, prior to NYC

Mark Hamill, the once-boyish actor known for playing Luke Skywalker in STAR WARS, will dance with Rue McClanahan in the rueful, New York-aimed comedy Six Dance Lessons In Six Weeks, beginning March 18 at Coconut Grove Playhouse in Miami.

Richard Alfieri's Six Dance Lessons opens March 21 following previews at Miami resident producing house and continues to April 13. The play ran successfully at the Geffen Playhouse in 2001 with 81-year-old Uta Hagen and David Hyde Pierce (of TV's Frasier), and was aimed at Broadway in 2002 before Hagen took ill.

Rodger Hess remains lead producer of the expected commercial transfer, partnering with co-producers Arthur Allan Seidelman (who also directs), Marcia Seligson and now Arnold Mittelman of Coconut Grove.

"We still intend to come to New York," Hess told Playbill On-Line earlier this year. He and his partners are aiming for either Broadway or Off-Broadway later in 2003, after the close of the 2002-03 season.

As previously announced, Kay Cole choreographs, and McClanahan plays a minister's wife seeking solace in a round of dance lessons given by a gay instructor. Here's how Coconut Grove bills the show, "Rue McClanahan stars as Lily Harrison, an elderly widow befriended by a younger male dance instructor. It is hate at first sight for the disparate duo who are each lonely and bitter for different reasons. As they bicker, dance and unfold their inner-most secrets, the two prickly personalities gradually wade into the best friendship of their lives in this touching and warm comedy."

McClanahan starred in TV's The Golden Girls and appeared in Roundabout Theatre Company's staging of The Women in 2001-2002.

Hamill appeared on Broadway in Amadeus, Harrigan 'n Hart, The Nerd and The Elephant Man.

Playwright Alfieri received a Writers Guild Award for the Hallmark Hall of Fame film Harvest of Fire. His play The Sisters had its premiere at Pasadena Playhouse. He is currently writing a screenplay of Six Dance Lessons for Universal Pictures.

Playbill :: March 18, 2003