Ismenia Mendes Joins Cast of Playwrights Horizons' GRAND CONCOURSE

Tickets go on sale to the general public and rehearsals begin today, Tuesday, September 16 for the Playwrights Horizons World Premiere production of GRAND CONCOURSE, a new play by playwright and two-time Obie Award-winning actress Heidi Schreck (There Are No More Big Secrets, Creature). Directed by Kip Fagan (The Revisionist, Asuncion), the play is the second production of the acclaimed theater company's 2014/2015 Season. It follows the critically-acclaimed Bootycandy, a new play written and directed by Robert O'Hara, now playing on the Mainstage.

Ms. Schreck is Playwrights Horizons' first Tow Foundation Playwright-in-Residence. She returns to the theater company as a writer, after having previously worked there as an award-winning original cast member of the hit production Circle Mirror Transformation.

GRAND CONCOURSE will begin previews Friday evening, October 17 at 8PM with an Opening Night set for Wednesday, November 12 at 7PM. The limited engagement will play through Sunday evening, November 30, at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

Completing the cast is Ismenia Mendes (Your Mother's Copy of the Kama Sutra at PH; The Wayside Motor Inn), who joins previously-announced cast members Obie Award winner Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Mr. Burns and Far From Heaven at PH; In the Next Room...; Ruined), Bobby Moreno (Drama Desk nomination for Year of the Rooster) and Tony Award nominee and Obie Award winner Lee Wilkof (Assassins and Glance of a Landscape at PH; Breakfast at Tiffany's and Kiss Me, Kate on Broadway; the original Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors).

Called to a life of religious service, Shelley (Ms. Bernstine) is the devoted manager of a Bronx soup kitchen, but lately her heart's not quite in it. Enter Emma (Ms. Mendes): an idealistic but confused young volunteer with mixed intentions, whose recklessness pushes Shelley to the breaking point. With keen humor and startling compassion, Heidi Schreck's play navigates the mystery of faith, the limits of forgiveness, and the pursuit of something resembling joy.

The production features scenic design by Rachel Hauck, costume design by Jessica Pabst, lighting design by Matt Frey and sound design by Leah Gelpe. Production Stage Manager is Sunny Stapleton.

The performance schedule for GRAND CONCOURSE will be Tuesdays through Fridays at 7:30 PM, Saturdays at 2 & 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2 & 7PM. There are special Monday evening performances at 7:30 PM on both November 10 and November 22.

Single tickets will go on sale to the general public starting today, Tuesday, September 16 at 12 Noon. Single tickets ($60-75) 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).

A ticketing initiative created as part of Playwrights Horizons' Arts Access program, LIVEforFIVE makes available a limited number of $5 tickets for the first preview performance of each Playwrights Horizons production through a lottery via the company's website. The LIVEforFIVE lottery for GRAND CONCOURSE will be for tickets to the first preview on Friday, October 17 at 7:30 PM. Details for the lottery are as follows: beginning Wednesday, October 8, theatergoers can enter the lottery by filling out an entry form at www.PHnyc.org. Entries will be accepted until Tuesday, October 14 at 12 Noon. Winners of the lottery will be notified via email no later than 3PM on Tuesday, October 14 with instructions on how to book their $5 tickets. Unclaimed tickets will be offered via email to a limited standby list starting at 12 Noon on Wednesday, October 15 on a first-come, first-served basis. One or two tickets may be purchased for $5 each.

Through the ticketing program launched last season, FIRST ROW SUNDAYS, Playwrights Horizons makes available front row tickets for all Sunday evening performances. Tickets, $25 each, will be available for those age 30 years and younger and can be purchased in advance online via www.TicketCentral.com, by phone at (212) 279-4200 (Noon-8pm daily), or in person at the Ticket Central Box Office, 416 West 42nd Street (between Ninth & Tenth Avenues). Tickets are limited to one per customer and are subject to availability. Purchased tickets for FIRST ROW SUNDAYS can be picked up one hour before curtain on the day of the performance, with proof of age required at the door.

Also reflecting Playwrights Horizons' ongoing commitment to making its productions more affordable to younger audiences, the theater company will offer HOTtix, $25 rush tickets, subject to availability, day of performance only, starting one hour before showtime to patrons aged 30 and under. Proof of age required. One ticket per person, per purchase. Cash only.

LIVEforFIVE, FIRST ROW SUNDAYS and HOTtix are three of Playwrights Horizons' popular Arts Access initiatives, which allow the institution to reach out to those who may not be able to afford the cost of a full-price theater ticket. This program is supported, in part, by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, McGraw Hill Financial and an Anonymous Individual Donor.

Special Post-Performance Discussions with members of the creative team will take place immediately after the following three performances: Wednesday evening, October 22 at 7:30 PM; Wednesday evening, October 29 at 7:30 PM; and Sunday matinee, November 2 at 2PM.

Currently playing on the Playwrights Horizons Mainstage is the acclaimed hit play BOOTYCANDY, written and directed by Obie Award winner Robert O'Hara. Following BOOTYCANDY and GRAND CONCOURSE, the 2014/2015 Season will continue with POCATELLO, the World Premiere of a new play by Obie and Lortel awards winner Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Davis McCallum; PLACEBO, the World Premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Melissa James Gibson, directed by Obie Award winner Daniel Aukin; IOWA, the World Premiere of a new musical play by Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Commendation winner (2008) and finalist (2013) Jenny Schwartz, music and lyrics by Todd Almond, oratorio lyrics by Ms. Schwartz, directed by two-time Obie Award winner Ken Rus Schmoll; and THE QUALMS, the New York premiere of a new play by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Bruce Norris, directed by Tony Award and Obie Award winner Pam MacKinnon.

Subscription packages to Playwrights Horizons' 2014/2015 season are now available: Subscription Plus ($500 per package, four Mainstage and two Peter Jay Sharp Theater productions, regular Subscription benefits with additional amenities, including a tax-deductible donation of $255, to support Playwrights Horizons' programs and services); a 6-show Subscription package ($260, four Mainstage and two Peter Jay Sharp Theater productions); a 5-show Subscription package (beginning with GRAND CONCOURSE, $220, three Mainstage and two Peter Jay Sharp Theater productions); FlexPass (4+ tickets, $50 per ticket); and Membership ($60 membership fee + one ticket at $45 or less for each show, as desired). In addition, the company will continue to offer 30&Under Membership ($20 membership fee + one $20 ticket for each show, as desired); and Student Membership ($10 membership fee + one $10 ticket for each show, as desired). In addition to discounts on all Mainstage season attractions, subscribers receive priority booking and seating, ticket exchange privileges, parking and dining discounts, and exclusive mailings of Playwrights Horizons Bulletins. Packages are available now at www.TicketCentral.com.

Patron Program Memberships begin at $1,500 (all but $550 is tax-deductible) and include two reserved house seats and personalized concierge service to all six Playwrights Horizons productions, as well as a variety of exclusive benefits including invitations to attend special events with artists, staff and board members. Complete benefit list at www.PHnyc.org.