Vineyard Theatre Kicks Off 2016-17 Readings Series Today with MILLER, MISSISSIPPI

Vineyard Theatre will present three readings of new works this month exclusively for members of the 2016-2017 season, it was recently announced by the company's Artistic Directors, Douglas Aibel and Sarah Stern.

The three works will include MILLER, MISSISSIPPI by The Vineyard's 2015 Paula Vogel Playwriting Award winner Boo Killebrew, and directed by The Vineyard's 2016 Susan Stroman Directing Award winner Lee Sunday Evans; LAURA AND THE SEA by Kate Tarker, directed by Dustin Wills; and NOSTALGIA IS A MILD FORM OF GRIEF by Jerry Lieblich, directed by Lee Sunday Evans.

The readings will take place at Vineyard Theatre, located at 108 E. 15 St. in New York City.

MILLER, MISSISSIPPI by Boo Killebrew (ROMANCE NOVELS FOR DUMMIES) and directed by Lee Sunday Evans (D DEB DEBBIE DEBORAH) will be presented tonight, September 13 at 7:00 PM. Spanning decades, from the Civil Rights Era to the early 1990s, this new Southern Gothic tale follows a genteel Mississippi family's unraveling in the midst of societal change. The play examines a legacy of privilege that is as lurid as it is based in truth. The cast will include: Charlotte Booker (BORN YESTERDAY), Roderick Hill (BUTLEY), Jacob Perkins (THE RISE AND FALL OF A TEENAGE CYBERQUEEN), Benja Kay Thomas (BARBECUE), and Mary Wiseman (THERESE RAQUIN).

LAURA AND THE SEA by Kate Tarker (THUNDERBODIES) and directed by Dustin Wills (BLUEBERRY TOAST) will be presented on Monday, September 19 at 7:00 PM. It's company outing day, and Laura, one of the top travel agents of her generation, is having the best/worst day of her life. So much so that she decides to end it all. Afterwards, her colleagues try to piece things together on a memorial blog, but how do you mourn someone you didn't know that well? A comedy about depression, or: a treatise on travel agents who don't travel. Casting to be announced.

NOSTALGIA IS A MILD FORM OF GRIEF by Jerry Lieblich (D DEB DEBBIE DEBORAH) and directed by Lee Sunday Evans will be presented on Wednesday, September 21 at 3:00 PM. Katie, a young photographer, comes home for a visit with her new boyfriend in tow. As her Mom shares baby photos, Katie gets sucked into a past she has tried hard to push away. A time-jumping journey through the wormholes of memory, family history, and time itself. Casting to be announced.

Dedicated to the creation and production of daring new plays and musicals, The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works, including last season's DOT by Colman Domingo, and Paula Vogel and Rebecca Taichman's INDECENT, along with previous productions including Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Pulitzer Prize finalist GLORIA; Nicky Silver's THE LYONS; Marx, Lopez and Whitty's Tony Award-winning musical AVENUE Q; Kander and Ebb's THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS; Bell and Bowen's [title of show]; Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (1998 Pulitzer Prize); Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN (1994 Pulitzer Prize); Tarell Alvin McCraney's WIG OUT!; Becky Mode's FULLY COMMITTED; Jenny Schwartz' GOD'S EAR; Will Eno's MIDDLETOWN; and many more. The Vineyard's productions have been honored with two Pulitzer Prizes, three Tony Awards, and numerous Drama Desk, Obie, Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel awards.

Vineyard Theatre's leadership includes Douglas Aibel (Artistic Director), Sarah Stern (Artistic Director), and Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell (Executive Producer).

The Fall and Spring Reading Series are included with all Vineyard memberships, and only 2016-2017 Season members are eligible to attend. Memberships are now available at www.vineyardtheatre.org/membership or by calling 212-353-0303. For more information about Vineyard Theatre, visit www.vineyardtheatre.org.