Archive

Identifier: RITZ2007

Inclusive Dates: 2007

Extent:

Roundabout Theatre Company staged Terrence McNally's play, The Ritz, at Studio 54, with first preview on September 15, 2007, opening night on October 11, 2007 and closing night December 9, 2007.

The production was met with mixed reviews, with most critics finding the farce entertaining with its carefree depictions of pre-AIDS gay bathhouse culture. Writing for Metro in New York, Elizabeth Zimmer wrote,"When Terrence McNally's 'The Ritz' first opened on Broadway in 1975, the world had not yet discovered AIDS or 'The Sopranos.' To the straight audience, the habits of gay men in a bathhouse were outre, and the Mafia and their habits were the stuff of tabloid journalism. In 2007, the play is still funny, but we've got to view it as a period piece. The baths have been closed, the Mafia defanged. Gay men agitate for the right to marry, not to copulate with as many others as possible in a single night. So McNally's farce, populated by a bunch of gorgeous hunks wearing nothing but towels, must depend for its impact on timing and pace and the quality of its performances, helped along in no small measure by the brilliant work of set designer Scott Pask and costumer William Ivey Long. Joe Mantello's direction is perhaps a bit restrained, but the cast of 24 gives us a pretty good bang for our bucks." (Metro NY, October 18, 2007)
 
Directed by Joe Mantello, with set design by Scott Pask, costume design by William Ivey Long, lighting design by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, sound design by Tony Meola, hair and wig design by Paul Huntley and choreography by Christopher Gattelli. 

Teddy Coluca played the part of Old Man Vespucci/Chuck, Lenny Venito played the part of Carmine Vespucci, Ashlie Atkinson played the part of Vivian Proclo (replacing Caroline Aaron who dropped out before previews), Angela Pietropinto played the part of Aunt Vera/Maurine, Adam Sietz played the part of Abe, Patrick Kerr played the part of Claude Perkins, Kevin Chamberlin played the part of Gaetano Proclo, Brooks Ashmanskas played the part of Chris, Terrence Riordan played the part of Michael Brick, Rosie Perez played the part of Googie Gomez, Lucas Near-Verbrugghe played the part of Tiger, David Turner played the part of Duff, Mark Leydorf played the part of First Patron, Matthew Montelongo played the part of Patron in Chaps, Ryan Idol played the part of Crisco Patron, Jeffrey Evan Thomas played the part of Snooty Patron, Seth Rudetsky played the part of Sheldon Farenthold, Josh Breckenridge played the part of Other Patron, Justin Clynes played the part of Other Patron, Andrew R. Cooksey played the part of Other Patron, Billy Magnussen played the part of Other Patron, Nick Mayo played the part of Other Patron, Dillon Porter played the part of Other Patron. Understudies: Adam Sietz, Seth Rudetsky, Lucas Near-Verbrugghe, Angela Pietropinto, Billy Magnussen, Teddy Coluca, Mark Leydorf, Andrea Burns.

The Ritz was first staged at the Yale Repertory Theatre in 1974 when playwright Terrence McNally was a playwright-in-residence at Yale. Its Broadway premiere took place in 1975 at the Longacre Theatre, with Rita Moreno playing Googie Gomez for which she won a Tony for her performance. In 1976 a film version of the play was made, directed by Richard Lester. 

Production records consist of 2 Hollinger boxes spanning 23 folders. Extensive stage documentation is not present but the complete light bible is, along with administrative records, performance reports, script, and other documents that shed light on the creative process behind the production. Collecton contains 2 copies of Playbill (one autograpghed by cast) and one color print of cast/crew photograph.  

Digital files include:
General Management files (include rights, contracts, correspondence) (82.8 MB)
Media files (B-roll, interview with Rosie Perez and Kevin Chamberlin) (35.6 GB)
Opening night photographs (color jpgs) (591 MB)
Out at Roundabout event photographs (color jpgs) (7.75MB)
Playbill scans (jpgs) (62.1 MB)
Production photographs (color jpgs) (29.1 MB)
HipTix event photographs (color jpgs) (29.8 MB)
Show art (jpg of window card) (597 KB)
Social event photographs (color jpgs) (2.68 MB)
Wine social event photographs (color jpgs) (11.4 MB)
Press file (PDF of select press) (4.04 MB)

Marketing files include:
Show file with art mock ups and promotional plan
Departmental file with ad placements, promotional plan, season details

Access Restrictions: Open and available for research by appointment only.

Preferred Citation: Ritz, The (2007), Roundabout Theatre Company Archives