MTC's THE AMERICAN PLAN Begins Performances Tonight, 1/2

Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) will present the upcoming Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's THE AMERICAN PLAN which is directed by Tony nominee David Grindley (Journey's End). Lily Rabe and Mercedes Ruehl are joined by Benjamin Eakeley (Sweeney Todd), Austin Lysy (A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delacorte), and Brenda Pressley (The First Breeze of Summer).

The limited engagement of THE AMERICAN PLAN will begin previews tonight, Friday, January 2, 2009 and open on Thursday, January 22, 2009 at MTC's Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

It is the Catskill Mountains in the early 1960s, and Lili Adler (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominee Lily Rabe) and her mother Eva (Tonyâ and Academy Awardâ winner Mercedes Ruehl) are spending the summer across the lake from a bustling hotel where comics entertain and buffets overflow. When a handsome young stranger (Benjamin Eakeley) enters their world, the emotionally fragile Lili finds herself falling in love. But once her imperious mother learns of their relationship, lies are exposed, alliances are forged and Lili's one chance to escape her mother's control may be lost forever.

The Broadway production of THE AMERICAN PLAN will mark MTC's eighth collaboration with Richard Greenberg; a relationship that includes the original New York production of THE AMERICAN PLAN which premiered in 1990 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage II and then transferred to Stage I. Other MTC productions of Greenberg plays include: Eastern Standard, The Extra Man, Jenny Keeps Talking, Night and Her Stars, the Pulitzer Prize nominated Three Days of Rain, and The Violet Hour.

The creative team for THE AMERICAN PLAN includes Jonathan Fensom (scenic and costume design), Mark McCullough (lighting design), Darron L West & Bray Poor (sound design), and Tom Watson (wig design).

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, MTC has become one of the country's most prominent and prestigious theatre companies. MTC productions have earned a total of 16 Tony Awards and five Pulitzer Prizes, an accomplishment unparalleled by a New York theatrical institution. Renowned MTC productions include Top Girls; From Up Here; Come Back, Little Sheba; The Receptionist; LoveMusik; Blackbird; Translations; Shining City; Rabbit Hole; Doubt; Proof; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; Kimberly Akimbo; Love! Valour! Compassion!; Sylvia; Four Dogs and a Bone; Putting It Together; Lips Together, Teeth Apart; Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune; Crimes of the Heart; and Ain't Misbehavin'.

This season, MTC's Broadway stage was renamed the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). The landmarked theatre has been the institution's home on Broadway since 2003 and was rehabilitated by MTC following a two-year, $35 million capital campaign. In addition, MTC operates two theatres at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street), its Off-Broadway home since 1984.

You can subscribe to MTC by calling (212) 399-3030, Monday - Friday, noon - 8 PM, with a major credit card. Subscriptions are available online at www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

* Via Telecharge.com: Single tickets to THE AMERICAN PLAN are available via Telecharge.com by telephone at (212) 239-6200, (800) 432-7250 outside the NY metro area and online at Telecharge.com. For group ticket information, call (800) 432-7780.
* Via the Samuel J. Friedman Box Office: Tickets are available at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre box office (261 West 47th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Tickets range in price from $56.50-$96.50. Student rush tickets are available the day of the performance at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre box office for $26.50.
* MTC Subscriptions: You can subscribe to MTC by calling (212) 399-3030, Monday - Friday, noon - 8 PM, with a major credit card.

Subscriptions are available online at www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

Photos by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.