Dan Amboyer (Younger, The Black List: Redemption) has replaced the previously announced Barton Cowperthwaite in Ruth Stage's upcoming production of James McLure's dark comedy Lone Star, which will play Theatre Row November 25–December 23.
Cowperthwaite, who was scheduled to play the role of Ray, has departed the production following a recent medical diagnosis.
Director Joe Rosario said in a statement, “In the short time that we worked together, Barton was absolutely amazing. On behalf of the entire cast and crew, we are keeping ‘Little Brother’ in our prayers as he concentrates on his journey to a successful recovery.”
The limited engagement, which will officially open December 3, marks the 1980 play's Off-Broadway premiere. The cast also features Ana Isabelle (Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story) as Elizabeth, Ryan McCartan (Wicked, Frozen) as Cletis, and Matt de Rogatis (Ruth Stage’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) as Roy.
Lone Star is set in the cluttered backyard of a small-town
Texas bar. Roy, battling PTSD after a hitch in Vietnam, is back in town
with his brother Ray. Lone Star offers a study of Texas "good
ole boys," the depths of brotherhood, and the scars to be dealt with
from battles fought at home and abroad.
Ruth Stage was granted permission by the McLure Estate to adapt Lone Star with elements from its sister play, Laundry and Bourbon, and the unpublished 1980s Lone Star screenplay, which had been set for a film starring Sigourney Weaver that never came to fruition.
Lone Star will feature set design by Matthew Imhoff, lighting design by Christian Specht, sound and projection design by Tomas Correa, comic book illustrations by Legacy Comix, stage management by Tollie Boone, and assistant stage management by Milton Elliott. Casting is by Ruth Stage.
Visit RuthStage.org.