Rosie Perez returns to B'way in 'The Ritz'

NEW YORK, Sept. 20 (UPI) -- New York actress Rosie Perez is back on Broadway in the new Roundabout Theatre Company revival production of Terrence McNally's comedy "The Ritz."

Perez has recently starred in New York stagings of "Reckless" and McNally's "Frankie and Johnny in the Claire de Lune." She has also appeared in the films "Fearless" and "It Could Happen to You."

In "The Ritz," she will star opposite Kevin Chamberlin, who has appeared in "Seussical," "Trumph of Love" and "Chicago."

Set to officially open Oct. 11 at New York's Studio 54, the 1975 play is about Gaetano, a garbageman who hides out in a gay bathhouse after his brother-in-law puts a hit out on him. Fortunately, the hapless trash collector has some outrageous new friends to protect him, show notes said.

"We're like little kids running around having fun," Perez told Playbill.

McNally has said the play is being revived because Roundabout thought it would be fun for an audience.

Director Joe Mantello said, 'I've never had more fun doing a play, and neither has the cast,' and I said, 'Well, that's the point of doing this!'" Playbill quotes McNally as saying. "This is a farce and you want the audience to share that joy."