Mamet play replaces musical

David Mamet’s planned first musical, “A Waitress in Yellowstone,” previously announced for Kirk Douglas Theatre’s 2007-08 season, will be replaced with the world premiere of Mamet’s “Keep Your Pantheon,” a farce about an acting troupe in ancient Rome.

“Pantheon,” to be presented May 18-June 8 at Center Theatre Group’s Culver City space, will be performed on a double bill with the early Mamet piece “Duck Variations,” written in the 1970s. The piece explores the meaning of life through the conversations of two elderly men on a park bench, watching the ducks.

“Waitress” had already been postponed once, and was replaced by a new production of William Inge’s “Come Back, Little Sheba,” starring S. Epatha Merkerson. Center Theatre Group Artistic Director Michael Ritchie said in a statement: “It is our hope and David’s hope that we can continue to work on ‘Waitress’ together again in the future.” Kirk Douglas Theatre season ticket holders can use their “Yellowstone” tickets for “Pantheon” and “Duck Variations.”

-- Diane Haithman