MTC Announces New Plays in Spring Boards Reading Series

Manhattan Theatre Club has announced the lineup for Spring Boards, its newly-renamed rehearsed reading series.  Formerly known as 6@6, the annual series is dedicated to the support and development of innovative new work. 

Since 1999, several plays developed in the series have gone on to full productions at MTC: David Auburn's Proof, David Lindsay-Abaire's Fuddy Meers, Joe Hortua's Between Us and Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's Based on a Totally True Story.  Other plays from the series that have been produced elsewhere in New York and around the country include Theresa Rebeck's The Scene, Julia Cho's Durango, Adam Rapp's Red Light Winter, and Naomi Iizuka's Strike-Slip. The line-up follows.

Monday April 9th at 7 PM
Horse Latitudes
by Hilary Fannin
Directed by Carolyn Cantor

"Jude and Ann's seventh wedding anniversary ends in a trial separation. Will experiments in loneliness and infidelity bring them closer together? Are we really doomed to become our parents? A startlingly honest and surprising look at what makes a relationship work by one of Ireland's brightest new talents," state production notes.

Monday April 16th at 7 PM
Stunning 
by David Adjmi
Directed by Anne Kauffman

"Sixteen-year-old Lily expects married life in her tight-knit community to make her stunningly happy. But when being with her much older husband proves less than romantic, she finds herself swept up in an unconventional friendship with her maid, Blanche. Issues of class, race and sex boil to the surface in this fierce, provocative and funny new play."

Monday, April 23rd at 7 PM
A Sleeping Country 
by Melanie Marnich
Directed by Trip Cullman

"In New York City, a desperate insomniac becomes convinced that she is dying. In Venice, a beautiful, sleepless Italian woman must persuade her to live. A dreamy story of sleep lost and hope found."

Monday, April 30th at 7 PM
The Front
Music and Lyrics by Paul Gordon and Jay Gruska, Book by Seth Friedman
Directed by Nell Balaban
"America,1952. Howard Prince, small-time gambler, full-time nobody, finally gets to be somebody.  Only it's as a 'front' for a blacklisted TV writer.  Howard soon finds fame, fortune, the girl of his dreams – and the attention of the House Un-American Activities Committee.  Based on the film starring Woody Allen and Zero Mostel."
 

Monday May 14th at 7 PM
The Last Best Place
by Bathsheba Doran
Directed by Carl Forsman

"After two long years in the big city fail to pan out as she'd hoped, Josie returns to her small Montana hometown to start fresh. Can life with her father and the boy who passed her over in high school really be enough? An intimate look at long days under a big sky."

Monday, May 21st at 7 PM
Human Voices 
by Sarah Treem
Directed by Jo Bonney

"When poetry icon Christopher Morgan offers struggling young poet Elizabeth a fellowship complete with a publishing deal, she thinks it's the opportunity of a lifetime. But when her mentor's generosity turns sour, Elizabeth is forced to choose between her work and the urge for revenge. Trusts are betrayed and ideals shattered in this bold look at who defines the value of art."

All readings are free and open to the public.  They take place at 7 PM at New York City Center – Stage I (131 West 55th Street).  To RSVP call (212) 399-3000, ext. 163 or write to springboards@mtc-nyc.org.  Visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com for more information.