Lee Hall Featured on NEW YORKER Website

Tony Award Winner Lee Hall, playwright of THE PITMEN PAINTERS now making its American premiere at Manhattan Theatre Club's (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, is currently featured on The New Yorker website in "Conversations With John Lahr".  
 
The play opened in September to glowing reviews from New York critics.  Directed by Max Roberts, THE PITMEN PAINTERS plays at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). The play will play its final performance, as scheduled, on Sunday, December 12.
 
Manhattan Theatre Club, by special arrangement with Bob Boyett, produces the Live Theatre, Newcastle/National Theatre of Great Britain's co-production of THE PITMEN PAINTERS on Broadway.  THE PITMEN PAINTERS began previews on Tuesday, September 14 and opened on Thursday, September 30. 
 
The cast, who have been with the production since it premiered at Live Theatre in 2007, includes: Christopher Connel, Michael Hodgson, Ian Kelly, Brian Lonsdale, Lisa McGrillis, Deka Walmsley, David Whitaker and Phillippa Wilson. 
 
Inspired by a book by William Feaver, and hailed by New York critics as "a masterpiece" (NY1), "a feel great hit!" (Variety), "ingenious work that shines" (Associated Press), "a remarkable evening of magical theatre" (WOR Radio), "entertaining and intelligent" (Wall Street Journal), the play tells the story of the Ashington Group - miners from Northumberland who became celebrated painters. THE PITMEN PAINTERS was named Best Play at the 2008 Evening Standard Awards.
Direct from a sold-out engagement at London's National Theatre, this funny and fascinating new play by Tony Award winner Lee Hall (writer of Broadway's mega-hit Billy Elliot) comes to Broadway with its entire original London cast intact. THE PITMEN PAINTERS is based on the triumphant true story of a group of British miners who discover a new way to express themselves and unexpectedly become art-world sensations! An arresting and hilarious salute to the power of individual expression and the collective spirit, THE PITMEN PAINTERS takes you on an unforgettable journey from the depths of the mine to the heights of fame.
THE PITMEN PAINTERS features scenic and costume design by Gary McCann, lighting design by Douglas Kuhrt, and sound design by Martin Hodgson.
 
The cast of THE PITMEN PAINTERS is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association. The producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance of this production.
 
Tickets are available by calling Telecharge at 212-239-6200, online by visiting www.Telecharge.com, or by visiting the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre Box Office (261 West 47th Street). Ticket prices are $57 - $121.
 
For more information on MTC, please visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.
 

Photo Credit: Kevin Thomas Garcia