Fame finds Jeffrey Donovan
Nov 14, 2008 Interview, Theater
The star of USA Network’s popular Miami-set series Burn Notice, about “burned” secret agent Michael Westen, Jeffrey Donovan has left sunny Florida for a wintry Chicago run of the play Don’t Dress for Dinner. Meanwhile, he’s starring opposite Angelina Jolie in Changeling. We sat down with him at the Royal George Theatre.
You’ve said, “I don’t want to be Magnum P.I. I don’t want them saying, ‘Hey, Michael Westen!’” So is this French farce an effort not to be seen as just Magnum P.I.?
Jeffrey Donovan: Somewhat. It’s more specific to me wanting to just be back on stage. I worked on Broadway and Off Broadway for ten years. The excitement I feel on stage has never been similar in TV and film.
What’s specific about the stage?
Jeffrey Donovan: You get something back. You feel it. I did Changeling for three months before six months of Burn Notice—you don’t get anything back. And this farce: I know there’s going to be laughter—hopefully—and that immediate energy refuels you so you can go back in front of a camera for nine more months.
Donovan Stars in Don’t Dress for Dinner
Nov 14, 2008 Theater
Producers in Chicago are hoping that lightning will strike twice, commercially speaking, with the revival of a sex farce by Marc Camelotti. His Boeing-Boeing is a London and Broadway hit, and on Nov. 14 his Don’t Dress for Dinner makes its Chicago debut.
The star-spiked cast, under the direction of John Tillinger, includes Patricia Kalember, of TV’s “Sisters” and “thirtysomething,” plus Jeffrey Donovan (of USA Network’s “Burn Notice” and the Clint Eastwood film, “Changeling”), Broadway and screen actor Mark Harelik, Urinetown veteran Spencer Kayden, Jamie Morgan and Chris Sullivan.
Performances continue to Jan. 11, 2009, at the Royal George Theatre Main Stage, 1641 N. Halsted Street. Opening night is Nov. 23.
Don’t Dress for Dinner is presented by the British Stage Company, LLC.
Royal George’s Don’t Dress for Dinner
Sep 17, 2008 Theater
Jeffrey Donovan, Mark Harelik, Spencer Kayden, and Chris Sullivan will headline Mark Camoletti’s farce Don’t Dress for Dinner, to play Chicago’s Royal George Theatre, November 14-January 11. The production, to open officially on November 23, will be directed by John Tillinger. Additional casting will be announced shortly.
The creative team includes James Noone (sets) and Keith Parham (lighting). Tillinger has received Tony Award nominations for Say Goodnight Gracie, Inherit The Wind, The Price, and Loot!, and was most recently represented on Broadway by the Manhattan Theatre Club revival of Absurd Person Singular.
Donovan currently stars on the USA series Burn Notice; his stage credits include An Inspector Calls and Toys in the Attic. Harelik starred on Broadway in The Light in the Piazza; his other stage credits include Old Money, The House in Town, The Beard of Avon, and The Heidi Chronicles. Kayden received the Outer Critics Circle, Theatre World, and Clarence Derwent Awards for her portrayal of Little Sally in Broadway’s Urinetown and is a longtime member of Chicago’s Neo-Futurists. Sullivan’s recent Chicago credits include The Ballad of Emmett Till and Dangerous Beauty.
Source: TheaterMania
