Leigh Silverman to Direct THE (curious case of the) WATSON INTELLIGENCE at Playwrights Horizons; Amanda Quaid Steps in for Maggie Siff

Complete details have been announced for the Playwrights Horizons 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), the production will begin previews Friday evening, November 15 at 8PM with an Opening Night set for Monday, December 9 at 7PM. The limited engagement will play through Sunday evening, December 29 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

The cast will feature Tony Award nominee John Ellison Conlee (The Full Monty, Murder Ballad, The Madrid, Pig Farm), 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). Ms. Quaid steps in for the previously-announced Maggie Siff.

Watson (Mr. Conlee): 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 production features scenic design by Louisa Thompson, costume design by Anita Yavich, lighting design by Mark Barton, sound design by Matt Tierney and original music by Peter Stopchinski. Production Stage Manager is Cole P. Bonenberger.

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 will be 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 is a special Monday night performance on November 25 at 7PM. The Tuesday, December 3 evening performance has an 8PM curtain.

Single tickets start at $70. A special online pre-sale will begin Tuesday, October 15 at 12 Noon. For the first 24 hours only, $40 discount tickets (regularly $70) can be purchased exclusively via Playwrights Horizons' Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/PlaywrightsHorizons.

Beginning Wednesday, October 16 at 12 Noon, $70 single tickets 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 $5 tickets for the first preview performance of each Playwrights Horizons production through a lottery via the company's website. The LIVEforFIVE lottery forTHE (curious case of the) WATSON INTELLIGENCE will be for tickets to the first preview on Friday, November 15 at 8PM. Details for the lottery are as follows: beginning Wednesday, November 6 at 10AM, theatergoers can enter the lottery by filling out an entry form at www.PlaywrightsHorizons.org. Entries will be accepted until Monday, November 11 at 12 Noon. Winners of the lottery will be notified via email no later than 3PM on Tuesday, November 12 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, November 13 on a first-come, first-served basis. One or two tickets may be purchased for $5 each. A limited number of tickets will be available for Mainstage shows via the lottery.

For the new ticketing program 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.

A special open captioned performance of THE (curious case of the) WATSON INTELLIGENCE for theatergoers who are deaf and hard of hearing will be held on the Saturday, December 14 matinee at 2:30 PM. Funding for this program is provided, in part, by the Theodore H. Barth Foundation, and TDF and TAP Plus, which is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.