Playwrights Horizons Will Host Special 'WATSON INTELLIGENCE' Panel, 12/14

Acclaimed theater company Playwrights Horizons will present the second curated panel discussion of its 2013/2014 Season on Saturday afternoon, December 14. The event is being held in connection with the current World Premiere production of THE (curious case of the) WATSON INTELLIGENCE, a new play by Madeleine George (The Zero Hour), directed by two-time Obie Award winner Leigh Silverman (Go Back to Where You Are, Blue Door and The Call at PH; The Madrid, Chinglish, Golden Child, Well).

This season, each of the theater company's four Mainstage playwrights will lead a panel discussion, assembling a panel of the writers, scholars, thinkers, or humans-at-large from whom they'd most like to hear. The discussion begins with the play and the ideas it raises, but could lead anywhere. Following on the success of its inaugural panel event (for Mr. Burns - A Post-Electric Play), the second installment will take place in the Mainstage Theater immediately following a matinee performance, led by Ms. George. She'll be trading thoughts on the set of her new play with the following three distinguished panelists:

• IBM Watson Technologies director ERic Brown

• Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes author Maria Konnikova

• NPR Science correspondent / Radiolab co-host Robert Krulwich

THE (curious case of the) WATSON INTELLIGENCE tackles four Watsons: trusty sidekick to Sherlock Holmes; loyal engineer who built Bell's first telephone; unstoppable super-computer that became reigning "Jeopardy!" champ; amiable techno-dweeb who, in the present day, is just looking for love. Four constant companions become one in this brilliantly witty, time-jumping, loving tribute (and cautionary tale) dedicated to the people - and machines - upon which we all depend.

The event is free, but reservations are required. To reserve a seat, visit the Playwrights Horizons events page at: http://www.playwrightshorizons.org/shows/events/ or call the Playwrights Horizons offices at (212) 564-1235 x3154. Confirmation will be given on a first come first served basis. Those that RSVP online will be sent a confirmation email.

The event will also be streamed live at: http://www.playwrightshorizons.org/shows/events/live-events/

Now in previews, THE (curious case of the) WATSON INTELLIGENCE has an Opening Night set for Monday, December 9 at 7PM. It will play a limited engagement through Sunday evening, December 29 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

The cast of WATSON INTELLIGENCE features Tony Award nominee John Ellison Conlee (The Full Monty, Murder Ballad, The Madrid, Pig Farm) as all four Watsons, David Costabile ("Breaking Bad," "Suits," Lincoln, Mr. Marmalade, Translations, Caroline or Change) and Amanda Quaid (Cock, Luck of the Irish, The Seagull, A Public Reading...Disney).

The production features scenic design by Louisa Thompson, costume design by Obie Award winner Anita Yavich, lighting design by Obie Award winner Mark Barton, sound design by Obie Award winner Matt Tierney and original music by Peter Stopschinski. Production Stage Manager is David H. Lurie.

THE (curious case of the) WATSON INTELLIGENCE was commissioned by Playwrights Horizons with funds from the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust.

The performance schedule for THE (curious case of the) WATSON INTELLIGENCE is Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7PM, Thursdays and Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2:30 PM & 8PM and Sundays at 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM. There are added Monday night performances on November 25 at 7PM and December 23 at 7PM. The Tuesday, December 3 evening performance has an 8PM curtain.

Single tickets, starting at $70, may be purchased online via www.TicketCentral.com, by phone at (212) 279-4200 (Noon-8pm daily) and in person at the Ticket Central Box Office, 416 West 42nd Street (between Ninth & Tenth Avenues). Premium tickets in the best locations are available for $90.

Also currently playing at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater is THE PATRON SAINT OF SEA MONSTERS, the World Premiere of a new play by Susan Smith Blackburn Prize winner Marlane Meyer, directed by two-time Obie Award winner Lisa Peterson. Following PATRON SAINT (now through December 1) and WATSON INTELLIGENCE (now through December 29), the Playwrights Horizons' 2013/2014 Season will continue with STAGE KISS, the New York premiere of a new play by two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl, directed by Rebecca Taichman (February 7-March 23); YOUR MOTHER'S COPY OF THE KAMA SUTRA, the World Premiere of a new play by Kirk Lynn, directed by Anne Kauffman (March 28-May 11); and conclude with the New York premiere of FLY BY NIGHT: A NEW MUSICAL, conceived by Kim Rosenstock, written by Will Connolly, Michael Mitnick and Ms. Rosenstock, directed by Carolyn Cantor (May 16-June 29).

Playwrights Horizons' season productions are generously supported in part by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Playwrights Horizons is supported in part by public funds from the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. In addition, Playwrights Horizons receives major support from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, the Peter Jay Sharp Foundation and the Time Warner Foundation.