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Photo Flash: Dr. Ruth Visits 'Enter Laughing'

Over the weekend, Dr. Ruth Westheimer paid a visit to the new musical 'Enter Laughing', presented by York Theater Company. Dr. Ruth is a sex therapist and author who came into celebrity in the 1980's. She has continued to support the American theater and has participated in several events for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and "Broadway Barks".

The YORK THEATRE COMPANY (James Morgan, Producing Artistic Director) recently announced that its acclaimed production of ENTER LAUGHING: THE MUSICAL will be extended for two additional weeks to accommodate the demand. Performances will now continue through October 26th; all performances will be at the company's home at The Theatre at Saint Peter's (Lexington Avenue just south of 54th Street).

ENTER LAUGHING has a book by Fiddler on The Roof's Joseph Stein and music and lyrics by "Taxi" creator Stan Daniels. Based on the early life of comedian Carl Reiner and the hit play by Broadway master Joseph Stein, ENTER LAUGHING tells the hilarious story of a stage-struck, woman-struck teenager who blunders his way into manhood via showbiz.

Stuart Ross (Forever Plaid) directs a cast that includes Josh Grisetti ("The Knights of Prosperity," Spamalot Las Vegas) as David Kolowitz, "L.A. Law's" married couple Jill Eikenberry (Moonchildren, Watch on the Rhine) and Michael Tucker (The Goodbye People, Moonchildren) as Mother and Father, Paul Binotto (Dreamgirls) as Don, Ray Demattis (Little Shop of Horrors) as Foreman, Erick Devine (Seussical) as Pike, Betsy DiLellio (The Baker's Wife), Janine LaManna (Seussical) as Angela, Gerry McIntyre (Once on This Island, Anything Goes) as Don, Robb Sapp (Johnny Guitar, Zanna, Don't) as Marvin, Emily Shoolin (Nerds://A Musical Software Satire) as Wanda, Allison Spratt (Cry Baby), and George S. Irving (countless Broadway shows since the original production of Oklahoma!, including Me and My Girl, On Your Toes, Irene, among many others), here recreating his original role of Marlowe. Matt Castle (Company) is the Music Director and performs the role of Roger.

The York Theatre Company (winner of a special Drama Desk Award for developing and producing new musical theatre) is the only theater in New York City-and one of very few in the world-dedicated to developing and fully producing new musicals, as well as preserving gems from the past. For more than three decades, York's intimate, imaginative style of producing both original and rarely seen classic musicals has resulted in critical acclaim and recognition from artists and audiences alike. Under the guidance of Artistic Director James Morgan since 1997, the York has focused exclusively on new musicals in its Mainstage Series--most of them world, American, or New York premieres-by some of the field's most esteemed creators, and has also helped launch the careers of many talented new writers. Over 30 cast recordings from York Theatre Company productions are now available on CD, and commercial transfers of such York productions as The Musical of Musicals -The Musical!, Souvenir, Captain Louie, Jolson & Company, and acclaimed revivals of Sweeney Todd and Pacific Overtures have all showcased the importance of the York and its programs. York's Musicals in Mufti Series, which offers rarely seen works from the past, has presented more shows than any other musical theatre concert series in the world, and is the first series to present works from on Broadway and Off-, as well as from London's West End. The York's Developmental Reading Series, which presents over 40 free readings of new musicals every year, was the incubator for the Tony Award-winning Broadway hit Avenue Q, among many other significant shows.

For ticket information visit www.yorktheatre.org or call 212/935-5820.

George S. Irving, Dr. Ruth Westheimer and Jim Morgan