Foss, Kerns, Kurtz, LaPlatney Set For HEART OF THE CITY 6/11 At Theatre At 30th

Fern Kershon and Orange Thought Productions today announced that Eliza Foss, Scott Kerns, Marcia Jean Kurtz, Martin LaPlatney, Melissa Miller and Mark Setlock would comprise The Cast of their new production, Heart of the City, a new play by Eric Lane, directed by Martha Banta. Performances will begin June 11th at the Theatre at 30th Street, for a limited engagement. Previously announced Melissa Leo had to withdraw for David O. Russell's The Fighter where she will play Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg's mother. For more information, visit www.heartofthecitytheplay.com.

Heart of the City is the quintessential New York tale -- from a woman on the ultimate date-from-hell; to a mismatched romance on the Brooklyn IRT; to a young artist trying to juggle inspiration and a survival job; to a couple hoping to conceive a child; plus a lesson on the proper way to make a Matzo ball. This new play artfully combines humor, joy, sorrow, love and romance as it takes you on a dazzling ride of the heart.

In a statement today, Melissa Leo said "I truly regret not being able to go on with this project, which has meant so much to me. Being part of its development will always be a special memory, but how do you say no to working with Mark Wahlberg and Christian Bale? Seriously, I am terribly disappointed to not be able to take Heart of the City to the next level and wish it much success."

Eliza Foss' NY stage credits include Ten Unknowns (Lincoln Center), Pentecost and Natural Selection (Barrow Group), Beau Jest (Lamb's Theater) and Coriolanus (Public Theater). Regional: The Mercy Seat (Stamford Theatre Works), Dinner with Friends (Hartford Theatreworks), The Road to Mecca (Portland Stage), The Diary of Anne Frank (Cleveland Play House) and The Company of Women (TheatreVirginia). Her TV appearances include "Law & Order," "Law & Order SVU" and on film, she has been seen in Split Ends, Chutney Popcorn.

Scott Kerns was most recently seen at Everyman Theater as the would-be detective Jamie McLean in George F. Walker's Filthy Rich. Earlier in the season, Scott played the young king Malcolm in Aaron Posner and Teller's much acclaimed Macbeth at the Two River Theatre Company and the Folger Theatre. Though a newly minted New York resident, Scott began his career on stages in Washington DC. He won early notice as the drug addled SKINHEADboy in Naomi Izuka's Polaroid Stories on the Studio Theatre Secondstage and was named one of the District's ten young artist to watch by the Washington Post's lead critic Peter Marks.

Marcia Jean Kurtz's film and TV appearances include Recount (HBO), Inside Man, Big Fan, Arranged, In Her Shoes, Requiem for a Dream, "Law and Order" (guest star), and several films by Sidney Lumet including Dog Day Afternoon. She received an OBIE for Donald Margulies' The Loman Family Picnic (MTC) and an OBIE and Drama Desk Nomination for Martin Sherman's When She Danced (Playwrights Horizons). Directorial credits include Emily at The Edge of Chaos (EST), her own play Between Two Worlds (HB), Time on Fire (2ND STAGE), Uncle Philip's Coat starring Larry Block (HB, AJT, Theatre J) and Namedropping (Fortune Society, Mint Theatre). She was a company member of Joseph Chaikin's Open Theatre, Jerome Robbins' ATL, and Peter Brook's C.I.R.T. She is a member of EST, Lincoln Center Director's Lab, The Dramatist Guild and SSDC.

Melissa Miller landed her first job as understudy to Bryce Dallas Howard in the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Tartuffe. She spent a year working with the Flea Theatre's resident company, The Bats, under Jim Simpson. Melissa has worked steadily in New York and regionally. She has done many premieres, including: Rob Urbinati's West Moon Street, directed by Davis McCallum (Prospect Theatre Co), Charles Mee's Mail Order Bride, at the Beckett Theatre, Kate E. Ryan's Mark Smith, directed by Ken Rus Schmoll (13P) and Ariel Dorfman's Widows, directed by Hal Brooks (59E59). She has done regional premieres of Guillermo Reyes' Madison and Paul Rudnick's Regrets Only at Premiere Stages. She has also worked at the Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Williamstown and is a member of NJ Rep. Melissa has done many workshops and readings with such companies as: New Georges, New Group, Classic Stage, TFANA, Rattlestick, Keen Company and Red Bull. Melissa has appeared on the television series "Ed" and "All My Children" as well as in the feature film The Color of Truth.