MCC Theater (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, Artistic Directors; William Cantler, Associate Artistic Director; Blake West, Executive Director) will present a special evening of readings at The Drama Book Shop on May 10, 2011 in anticipation of their world premiere production of Michael Weller's Side Effects, directed by David Auburn. Actors Judith Baicich, Francesca Faradany, Jennifer Mudge, Matthew Rauch, and Cotter Smith will read scenes from Weller's three loosely-related plays on modern marriage: Do Not Disturb, MCC's previously produced Fifty Words, and the upcoming Side Effects. Weller and Auburn will answer audience questions after the reading, and Weller will sign copies of his plays. The event will take place from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. at The Drama Book Shop's Arthur Seelen Theatre (250 W. 40th Street). Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, visit www.dramabookshop.com.
MCC Theater's 2008 hit Fifty Words (with acclaimed performances by Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Marvel) culminated in one desperate phone call. Side Effects is the story of what happened on the other end of the line, expertly plotted by playwright Michael Weller, who is noted for Loose Ends and Moonchildren, a seminal work for the American stage. Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning writer-director David Auburn (Proof, The New York Idea) will direct Joely Richardson ("Nip/Tuck," "The Tudors") and Cotter Smith (Kin, Next Fall) in this harrowing and unique journey.Hugh and Lindy's marriage seems picture-perfect, a beacon in their microcosmic Midwestern world of dinner parties and fundraisers. But, behind closed doors - doors they can barely keep shut - they're falling apart, and Hugh's rising political star is suddenly imperiled. Performances of this two-person play begin at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on June 2, 2011 with an official opening night set for Sunday, June 19, 2011.
MCC Theater is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary season as one of New York City's leading Off Broadway theater companies, committed to presenting New York and world premieres each season. When MCC Theater was founded in 1986, its mission was simple: to bring new theatrical voices to theater-going audiences. MCC Theater continues to accomplish this yearly through three programmatic areas: its mainstage works; its Playwrights' Coalition, which actively seeks and develops new and emerging writers; and its Education & Outreach Programs, including the Youth Company, which allow more than 1,200 students yearly to experience theater, increase literacy and discover their own voices through the creation of original theater pieces. Notable MCC Theater highlights include: the 2008 Tony Award-nominated reasons to be pretty by Neil LaBute, last season's The Pride, Fifty Words, the 2004 Tony-winning production of Bryony Lavery's Frozen; Neil LaBute's Fat Pig; Rebecca Gilman's The Glory of Living; Marsha Norman's Trudy Blue; Margaret Edson's Pulitzer Prize-winning Wit; Tim Blake Nelson's The Grey Zone and Alan Bowne's Beirut. Over the years, the dedication to the work of new and emerging artists has earned MCC Theater a variety of awards.
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