Robin Givens's forthcoming mockumentary, The Nana Project, will star Tony and Academy Award winner Mercedes Ruehl, Nolan Gould (Modern Family), and Will Peltz (The List).
The upcoming comedy takes place at the Timeless Acres Retirement Home and follows a documentary crew who are interested in star resident Helen “Nana” Lewis (Ruehl). While training for a chess tournament, Nana develops a plan to reunite her estranged grandsons veterinarian student Andrew (Gould) and model-influencer Cody (Peltz).
Givens made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in Chicago in 2006. Other stage credits include starring in Off-Broadway's The Vagina Monolouges and Blues for An Alabama Sky at Pasadena Playhouse. This will be her eighth time stepping into the director role, previously directing episodes of Riverdale and Dynasty.
Best known for her Tony Award-winning performance in Lost in Yonkers, Ruehl has had an extensive career in stage and screen. She originated roles in Broadway productions of The Shadow Box, The Rose Tattoo, Torch Song, and more. On screen, she recently appeared in episodes of Entourage and Power, as well as movies Hustlers, Chu and Blossom, and The Fisher King.
The movie was written by Eric Ulloa (On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan) with co-writers Anthony Del Negro and Carl Moellenberg. It is produced by 12-time Tony winner Moellenberg (The Minutes) and Anthony Del Negro. Production is expected to begin in May.