Tony Award winner and feature-film star Nathan Lane (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, The Birdcage) stars in this sophisticated "Must See TV" comedy from the Emmy-winning producers of NBC's Frasier. Lane portrays a larger-than-life, gifted opera star whose vocal injuries force him to return to the family-owned winery in California's sedate Napa Valley—and his typically theatrical entrance affords him a new stage on which he struggles to remain the center of attention. Joseph Pinoni (Lane) was once on track to become the Fourth Tenor. Now, having squandered his money on wine, women and gambling, but having kept his luxurious tastes and habits, the crestfallen prima donna may have to give his greatest performance when he seeks to take his place alongside his family.
Joseph's feisty mother Marie Pinoni (Tony winner and Oscar nominee Joan Plowright, A Taste of Honey, Enchanted April) is hardly starstruck by her son's notoriety, and can only offer him some offbeat wisdom. Meanwhile, his younger sister, Francesca (Emmy nominee Glenne Headly, Lonesome Dove), both loves and resents Joseph—she had remained behind to toil in the family business and was overshadowed by her globetrotting brother as he became an operatic superstar.
While Joseph adjusts to his new role as lord of the manor, far away from the glare of the footlights, his best chance of improving his familial relationships lies with his 16-year-old nephew, Michael (Trevor Fehrman), whose sheltered life may come unfettered if his colorful uncle can help it. Leo (Ernie Sabella, The Lion King), the Pinonis' gruff, blue-collar vineyard manager, keeps everything humming. Meanwhile, Claude (James Patrick Stuart, Gettysburg), a wealthy dilettante and self-styled artist, is Joseph's best friend and co-conspirator, and their grandiose schemes and scams make Encore! Encore! a comedy of operatic proportions.
Emmy winners David Angell, Peter Casey and David Lee (shared credits for Frasier, Cheers and Wings) and Anne Flett-Giordano and Chuck Ranberg (Frasier) are the creators and executive producers of Encore! Encore! The series is from Grub Street Productions in association with Paramount Network Television.
