Showtime to Produce, Air Cantone's Whore

Showtime has signed on as a producer of Mario Cantone's Laugh Whore, which will play Broadway in the fall. As part of the arrangement, the network will air Laugh Whore exclusively on Showtime in 2005. This is Showtime's debut as a Broadway producer.

Robert Greenblatt, President of Entertainment for Showtime Networks, Inc. said, "Mario Cantone is an exceptional performer and Laugh Whore is a true riot. We are ecstatic to start a relationship with Mario that will showcase his work to new audiences and add him to the revitalized Showtime comedy family."

Cantone first premiered the show, under the working title of An Evening With Mario Cantone, at the American Airlines Theatre in 2003. The production, directed by Joe Mantello, features original music by Jerry Dixon and lyrics by Dixon, Cantone and Harold Lubin.

Laugh Whore will begin previews at the Cort Theatre on October 5 and open on October 17.