IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE Gets Revived At Met Playhouse 5/2-5/31

Metropolitan Playhouse, "theatrical archaeologist extraordinaire" (Backstage), presents a revival of It Pays to Advertise, by popular turn-of-the-century comic writers Roi Cooper Megrue and Walter C. Hackett. First presented at the George M. Cohan Theater in 1914, It Pays to Advertise will be revived in Metropolitan's home at 220 E 4th Street May 2nd through May 31st, 2009.

It Pays to Advertise follows the whirlwind adventure of two speculative entrepreneurs who scheme to create, market, and most importantly sell a new business-without actually producing any goods or services. Their faith in the power of advertising is a conviction that hype is worth more than substance in attracting investors. Too familiar in today's business news, It Pays to Advertise is a fast-talking, light-hearted comedy with a romance at its center, in which everything is gambled, everything is lost, but all finds its way right in the end. (Need we add that it is the funniest play ever written; its important message must be heard; and paying audiences and media representatives are guaranteed to lose 10 pounds and/or grow their hair back?)

Megrue and Hackett, both as a team and separately, had sterling careers in the early 1900's. Megrue's hits included Under Cover and Tea for Three. He was director of the first Pulitzer Prize winner for drama (Why Marry? by Jesse Lynch Williams) and his Seven Chances was the source for 1999's Renee Zellweger/Chris O'Donnell vehicle The Bachelor. Hackett's many successes included Hyde Park Corner and Other Men's Wives. It Pays to Advertise was adapted to film twice, once in 1919, and again, with Carol Lombarde, in 1931.

Metropolitan's revival is directed by Michael Hardart, an actor and director whose work with the company includes a turn as Teddy Roosevelt in Year One of the Empire and the electrified host of this season's Power, as well as the direction of East Village Chronicles, Volumes 4 and 5. The production stars Brian Cooper, Aaron Gaines, George Hosmer, Scott Kerns, RoBert Leeds, Sarah Levine, Nalina Mann, and Maire Rose-Pike. Set Design is by Heather Wolensky, and costumes are designed by Rebecca Lustig.

Metropolitan Playhouse explores America's theatrical heritage through forgotten plays of the past and new plays of American historical and cultural moment. Called an "indispensible East Village institution" by nytheatre.com, Metropolitan has earned accolades from The New York Times, The Village Voice, and Backstage as well for its ongoing mission to produce theater that illuminates who we are by revealing where we have come from. Recent productions include Power, Nowadays, Year One of the Empire, The Pioneer: 5 plays by Eugene O'Neill, Denial and The Melting Pot, as well as the Alphabet City and East Village Chronicles series and this year's Melvillapalooza.

It Pays to Advertise begins five previews on Saturday, May 2, and opens Saturday, May 9 to run through Sunday, May 31. Show times are Thursdays through Saturdays at 8pm; Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm; plus Wednesdays (5/20 and 5/27) at 8:00 pm. There will be a special, Pay-What-You-Will performance on Monday, May 4 at 7:30 pm.

Tickets are $20 for general admission, $15 for students, seniors and preview general admissions, and $10 for Children under 18. To purchase tickets online visit www.metropolitanplayhouse.org, or call The Playhouse at 212 995 5302.

Previews Begin: Opening Night:
Pay What You Will:
Closing:
Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Saturday, May 9, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Monday, May 4, 2009 at 7:30 pm
Sunday, May 31, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Thursdays - Saturdays at 8:00 pm Sundays at 3:00 pm
Saturdays (5/16, 5/23 & 5/30) at 3:00 pm
Wednesdays (5/20 and 5/27) at 8:00 pm