Dan Lauria

I've never been married and I have never had any kids," said Dan Lauria, "but Ikeep getting these parts." Over the last three years, Lauria, along with Bill Cosby and Homer Simpson, hasbecome one of the best-known TV dads in America thanks to his memorable role asthe grumpy, larger-than-life Jack Arnold, the father of 14-year-old Kevin Arnold(Fred Savage) on ABC's "The Wonder Years."

No one pays for a ticket, and the seats fill up fast. The regulars call out hellos and, once they've secured a spot, stand talking in the aisles. The director welcomes everyone, advertises upcoming programs and announces that, because the evening's performance is intermission-less, the weekly fund-raising raffle will be held afterward. Then the performers--who include Fred Savage, Ed Asner and Wayne Rogers--take the stage, and the room erupts in expectant applause.

Ten years ago, unknown New York stage actor Dan Lauria asked big-name television and film production companies to subsidize Equity-waiver theater. He went to Paramount, HBO, CBS, and got nowhere. But prime time does wonders for one's clout. Lauria now plays the grumpy father on ABC-TV's Tuesday night hit series, "Wonder Years." "There's no question that the show made this happen," said Lauria as he watched a rehearsal of "Old Friends," the play he is producing with TV money.

The best reviews producers Tom Patchett and Kenneth Kaufman say they ever got were for a television movie that wasn't shown. Until now. If you thought drama was the stuff of TV, then welcome to a slice of the antsy, chancy life of producerhood, where you never know when your next show will get scheduled or when your next project will show up.

The best reviews producers Tom Patchett and Kenneth Kaufman say they ever got were for a television movie that wasn't shown. Until now. If you thought drama was the stuff of TV, then welcome to a slice of the antsy, chancy life of producerhood, where you never know when your next show will get scheduled or when your next project will show up.

No one pays for a ticket, and the seats fill up fast. The regulars call out hellos and, once they've secured a spot, stand talking in the aisles. The director welcomes everyone, advertises upcoming programs and announces that, because the evening's performance is intermission-less, the weekly fund-raising raffle will be held afterward. Then the performers--who include Fred Savage, Ed Asner and Wayne Rogers--take the stage, and the room erupts in expectant applause.

The public is invited to a free staged reading of "Burning Desire," a new play written by and starring Lou Diamond Phillips. Directed by Wendie Malick, the romantic comedy also features Dan Lauria, Amy Smart and Michael Urie. The reading will take place at 8 p.m. June 18 at the Hayworth Theatre, 2509 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Information: (800) 838-3006 or www.thehayworth.com.

Voices in Harmony, the nonprofit youth outreach program, presents 13 one-acts written and performed by an urban teenager and a theater professional, at the Coronet Theatre on today at 8 p.m.; Saturday at 7 p.m.; and Sunday at 2 p.m. Guest directors include Kristen Johnston, Chad Lowe and Dan Lauria; each performance is hosted by a different celebrity. A $10 donation is suggested at the door. Reservations: (213) 466-1767; information: (310) 915-6678.

New Theater Group to Hit Town: Dan Lauria, who plays the grumpy Dad on "The Wonder Years," will direct PKE Theatre, a new theater group that is being completely funded by Patchett-Kaufman Entertainment, the Culver City company that produced the TV movie "Howard Beach: Making the Case for Murder" and the upcoming TV series "Working Girl."

What's happening the next few weeks: * The Yahoo-Outloud Tour, with Weezer, Luscious Jackson and Smashmouth, arrives Feb. 25 at the Sunrise Musical Theatre, 5555 N.W. 95th Ave., Sunrise. (954) 741-7300. * The Coconut Grove Playhouse will present a revival of Arthur Miller's play "The Price," starring Jack Klugman, Dan Lauria, Walter Charles and Ronnie Farer. Previews begin Tuesday and the show runs through Jan. 28. Coconut Grove Playhouse, Mainstage, 3500 Main Highway, Coconut Grove.

I've never been married and I have never had any kids," said Dan Lauria, "but Ikeep getting these parts." Over the last three years, Lauria, along with Bill Cosby and Homer Simpson, hasbecome one of the best-known TV dads in America thanks to his memorable role asthe grumpy, larger-than-life Jack Arnold, the father of 14-year-old Kevin Arnold(Fred Savage) on ABC's "The Wonder Years."

Ten years ago, unknown New York stage actor Dan Lauria asked big-name television and film production companies to subsidize Equity-waiver theater. He went to Paramount, HBO, CBS, and got nowhere. But prime time does wonders for one's clout. Lauria now plays the grumpy father on ABC-TV's Tuesday night hit series, "Wonder Years." "There's no question that the show made this happen," said Lauria as he watched a rehearsal of "Old Friends," the play he is producing with TV money.

Junior high is the proverbial awkward time. Looks are suddenly all-important, as bodies are changing and the importance of social status increases. No show on television has captured that time with such poignancy and humor as The Wonder Years, which will have its series finale Wednesday. When the series began, it was set in the historically significant year of 1968.

Daniel J. Travanti of "Hill Street Blues" fame and William Daniels, one of the former stars of "St. Elsewhere," will play opposing attorneys in "Howard Beach: Making the Case for Murder," a TV movie for NBC. Travanti will play prosecutor Joe Hynes; Daniels will portray defense attorney David Slaney. Also in the cast, playing a detective, is Dan Lauria, the father on "The Wonder Years." Anita Baker and Dick Clark will host a two-hour special for CBS on June 22, "The Songwriters Hall of Fame 20th Anniversary . . . The Magic of Music."