Atlantic Theater Company Grand Reopening Ceremony, Hosted by Felicity Huffman and William H. Macy, Set for Tonight

By: Oct. 01, 2012
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Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) has announced grand reopening of its main stage Linda Gross Theater following a historic $8.3 million renovation of the landmark theater housed in a nineteenth century church in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood.

A dedication ceremony hosted by Atlantic founding members Emmy and Golden Globe Award® winner Felicity Huffman and Academy Award® nominee William H. Macy will officially christen the newly renovated theater tonight, October 1 at 5:00pm, featuring a gala cocktail hour attended by Atlantic company members, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and government officials and a special musical tribute.

A custom designed, newly installed "Name in Lights" illuminated wall that is the focal point of the new lobby which acknowledges donors contributing $5,000 or more to the campaign will also be unveiled.

Located on West 20th Street in Chelsea, the Linda Gross Theater venue houses Atlantic's main stage. The extensive scope of work included the renovation of 6,300 square feet of space containing the 199-seat theater, the expansion of a 5,100-square-foot basement to create an enlarged lobby with a suite of new restroom facilities, a new box office, improved handicap access, a prop-building workshop, a costume shop and backstage support offices.

Renovations and redesign of the theater space addressed longstanding artistic limitations within the theater's original configuration by enlarging the stage; creating a dedicated load-in area for sets, and upgrading and expanding artist dressing rooms. The Linda Gross Theater is now completely compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The renovation-expansion by Coburn Architecture, PC updated the building to 21st century standards in a manner aimed to preserve the original architectural details while maintaining the intimate scale of the space.

Atlantic's $8.3 million campaign received unprecedented support and unanimous approval from the New York City Landmarks Commission and the enthusiastic backing of local Community Board 4.

The New York premiere of Oliver Award® winner Simon Stephens play HARPER REGAN, starring Atlantic company member Mary McCann and directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, is now in previews, officially opens October 10 and plays a limited engagement through October 28 at the Linda Gross Theater.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is the award-winning Off-Broadway theater that produces great plays simply and truthfully by utilizing an artistic ensemble. Atlantic believes that the story of a play and the intent of its playwright are at the core of the creative process. The plays in the Atlantic repertory, from both new and established playwrights, are boldly interpreted by today's finest theater artists and resonate with contemporary audiences.

Since its inception over 26 years ago, Atlantic has produced more than 130 plays, including: Tony Award® winning productions of Spring Awakening (Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik) and The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Martin McDonagh); world premieres of Almost an Evening, Offices and Happy Hour (Academy Award winner Ethan Coen); The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Cripple of Inishmaan (Martin McDonagh); Romance (David Mamet); Through A Glass Darkly (Ingmar Bergman, adapted by Jenny Worton); Dreams of Flying Dreams of Falling (Adam Rapp); Bluebird (Simon Stephens); Storefront Church (John Patrick Shanley); Blue/Orange (Joe Penhall); Port Authority and Dublin Carol (Conor McPherson); Writer's Block (Woody Allen); revival of Hobson's Choice (Harold Brighouse); revivals of American Buffalo and Edmond (David Mamet); Dangerous Corner (J.B. Priestley, adapted and directed by David Mamet); Trumpery and The Cider House Rules (adapted by Peter Parnell); Celebration & The Room, The Collection & A Kind of Alaska and The Hothouse (Harold Pinter); Gabriel (Moira Buffini); Oohrah! (Bekah Brunstetter); Mojo and Parlour Song (Jez Butterworth); New York premieres of Boys' Life and The Lights (Howard Korder) at Lincoln Center Theater; Distant Fires (Kevin Heelan); The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite and Shaker Heights (Quincy Long); Minutes From The Blue Route (Tom Donaghy); Trafficking in Broken Hearts (Edwin Sánchez); Missing Persons (Craig Lucas).

During its history, Atlantic has garnered twelve Tony Awards®, eleven Lucille Lortel Awards, fifteen Obie Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, five Outer Critics Circle Awards, and three Drama League Awards. Atlantic also operates The Atlantic Theater Company Acting School, which has an undergraduate program in conjunction with NYU, as well as a two-year professional acting program and a six-week intensive workshop every summer. Atlantic for Kids and the Educational Outreach Program partners with schools and teachers throughout the greater metropolitan area coordinating in-school visits of teaching artists and post-theater talkbacks.

Production Ticket Information:
Main stage tickets ($70.00) and Stage 2 tickets ($35.00) are available by calling Ticket Central at 212-279-4200 (www.ticketcentral.com) or at the Atlantic Stage 2 box office at 330 West 16th Street.

Atlantic Members pay $30 per ticket for all main stage and Stage 2 productions. Members may book by contacting Ticket Central or visiting the Atlantic Stage 2 box office.



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