Mamet musical out, Inge drama in

The Center Theatre Group has postponed the opening of David Mamet’s musical “A Waitress in Yellowstone” at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City this summer and instead will present a new production of William Inge’s “Come Back, Little Sheba,” starring S. Epatha Merkerson.

Merkerson, who stars as Lt. Anita Van Buren in NBC’s long-running “Law & Order,” won an Emmy last year for her performance in HBO’s “Lackawanna Blues.” On Broadway, she earned a Tony nomination for “The Piano Lesson.”

“Come Back, Little Sheba” will run June 17 to July 15. Michael Pressman will direct.

Michael Ritchie, artistic director of the Center Theatre Group, said the Mamet production was postponed until next season to allow the playwright to pursue what he described as “some exciting casting choices.”