Mayor of Buffalo Names February 8 A.R. Gurney Day

Byron W. Brown, Mayor of the City of Buffalo, has proclaimed February 8, 2011 "A.R. Gurney Day" in  honor of famed Buffalo-born playwright A.R. Gurney on the occasion of the opening night of his new play Black Tie.  Gurney was surprised with the honor during the curtain call of the opening night performance when the official proclamation was read aloud by Black Tie cast member Gregg Edelman onstage. 
 
On the official proclamation certificate, Byron W. Brown states, "Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Byron W. Brown, Mayor of the City of Buffalo, do hereby proclaim February 8, 2011 as A.R. Gurney Day in the City of Buffalo and join my fellow citizens in recognizing his accomplishments and extend our best wishes for continued success in the future."
 
Black Tie began performances on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues) for a limited run through Saturday, March 20, 2011.  Black Tie marks Mr. Gurney's fourth New York production in what has proven to be a landmark season for the legendary playwright.
 
Father of the groom, Curtis, simply wants to make a memorable toast. But before he is able to raise his glass, he must defend the time-honored ways of his past, including his attire. Cultures clash when a surprise guest is announced, threatening to throw convention out the window. Curtis finds that balancing the standards of his late father and the needs of his future family may prove too messy for a black tie affair.
A. R. Gurney has been writing plays for over fifty years. Among them are: Scenes from American Life, The Dining Room, The Cocktail Hour, Love Letters, Sylvia, Big Bill, Far East, Mrs. Farnsworth, Indian Blood, Crazy Mary, and Buffalo Gal. He has also written three novels, a few television scripts, several unproduced movies, and the librettos of two operas. Gurney is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He has honorary degrees from Williams College and Buffalo State University, and taught literature at M.I.T. for many years.