Cape May Stage to Present World Premiere One-Acts

CAPE MAY – Cape May Stage, South Jersey’s premiere Equity theatre, is excited to welcome back two of its favorite performers: the husband-and-wife team of Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry. Best known as the stars of NBC’s “L.A. Law” for eight seasons, the couple returns to Cape May Stage in the world premiere of one-act plays, written and performed by the couple. Join them at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse on Monday, July 1 at 8 p.m.
Tucker and Eikenberry presently split their home lives between the hustle and bustle of New York City and a charming house nestled among the sleepy olive trees of Umbria, Italy. This summer, the Emmy award-winning duo will perform in a world premiere of hilarious anecdotal one-act plays, written by Tucker, which illustrate the amusing dichotomy of this couple’s two worlds — New York and Italy — while sharing their traveling experiences with the audience.
A veteran stage, film and television actor, Michael Tucker is perhaps best known for his role as Stuart Markowitz in the hit series, “L.A. Law.” His eight-year stint on the popular NBC-TV drama brought him three Emmy nominations and two Golden Globe nominations. After graduating from Carnegie Mellon’s famed drama department, Tucker made his Broadway debut in “Moonchildren” and then went on to build an extensive list of stage credits, appearing on stage with Meryl Streep and John Lithgow, and performing in such well-known companies as Shakespeare in the Park, The Manhattan Theater Club, The Roundabout Theater, Playwrights Horizons, The Second Stage, Lincoln Center, as well as on and off-Broadway. Tucker’s film credits include two Woody Allen films, “Radio Days” and “The Purple Rose of Cairo,” two by Barry Levinson, “Diner” and “Tin Men,” “Network,” “For Love or Money” with Michael J. Fox, “Mighty Ducks II,” and “Till There Was You” with Jean Tripplehorn.
Also a writer, Tucker has authored several books, which all feature food and drink as prominent themes. His first book, “I Never Forget a Meal: An Indulgent Reminiscence,” is part memoir, part cookbook. His second, “Living in a Foreign Language,” chronicles the couple’s experiences as homeowners in the Italian countryside. His third book, “Family Meals,” explores the meaning of family and examines the sacrifices we make for those we love. “After Annie” is Tucker’s first novel and is a hilarious and irresistible tale about love and the theater.
Jill Eikenberry has a long list of theater, film and television credits and is, of course, best known for her portrayal of Ann Kelsey on NBC’s long-running hit series “LA Law,” which earned her four Emmy nominations, two Golden Globe nominations as well as one Golden Globe Award. After graduating from Barnard College in New York and then Yale Drama School in New Haven, Eikenberry began an extensive theater career on and off-Broadway, starring in “Moonchildren,” “All Over Town,” directed by Dustin Hoffman, Wendy Wasserstein’s “Uncommon Women and Others” — in which she also appeared opposite Meryl Streep in the PBS-TV version. She’s appeared with such renowned companies as The Manhattan Theater Club, The York Theatre Company, Yale Rep, The Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., The Long Wharf Theater in New Haven and The Marin Theater Company. She made her feature film debut in 1976 in “Between the Lines” opposite John Heard, Jeff Goldblum and Lindsay Crouse, and has since been seen in “Rich Kids” with John Lithgow, “An Unmarried Woman,” “Butch and Sundance: The Early Days,” MGM’s “Hide in Plain Sight” opposite James Caan, and “Arthur,” in which she played Dudley Moore’s jilted fiancé. Most recently Eikenberry has appeared in “Something Borrowed” with Kate Hudson and Jennifer Goodwin and in “Young Adult” starring Charlize Theron.
Tucker and Eikenberry have also appeared together on stage in A.R. Gurney’s “Love Letters,” on TV in “Hill Street Blues” and such TV movies as “A Family Again,” “Gone in a Heartbeat,” “Assault and Matrimony,” “A Town Torn Apart” and “Archie’s Wife,” which also featured their beloved daughter Alison. They have produced a documentary film, “Emile Norman – By His Own Design,” which has appeared at various film festivals around the country.
Part of Cape May Stage’s acclaimed Second Stage Series, these fabulously entertaining one-acts will run Monday, July 1 at 8pm at the Robert Shackleton Playhouse at the corner of Bank & Lafayette Streets in downtown Cape May. Tickets are $50 and include an after party at the Wine Bar at the Washington Inn, Cape May’s hip, relaxing, contemporary meeting place at the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets. You’ll have a chance to mingle with the stars, while enjoying delicious complimentary finger foods and a well-stocked cash bar. Call (609) 884-1341 for reservations and information or visit the theatre’s website, www.capemaystage.org.