Kristen Connolly, William Jackson Harper & More to Star in Playwrights Horizons' PLACEBO

Playwrights Horizons has announced casting for PLACEBO, the world premiere of a new play by Obie Award winner Melissa James Gibson (This at PH, What Rhymes with America, Suitcase, [sic], the FX series "The Americans," "House of Cards" on Netflix.). Directed by Obie Award winner Daniel Aukin (This at PH, The Fortress of Solitude, Bad Jews, 4,000 Miles, [sic]), the play will be the fourth production of the theater company's 2014/2015 Season.

Ms. Gibson and Mr. Aukin are longtime collaborators who are both returning to Playwrights Horizons for the first time since their acclaimed production of This in 2009.

The cast of PLACEBO will feature Kristen Connolly (Christina Gallagher on "House of Cards," The Public/NYSF's King Lear, Measure for Measure, All's Well That Ends Well), William Jackson Harper (A Cool Dip in the Barren Saharan Crick at PH; All the Way, Ruined, Modern Terrorism), Alex Hurt (Scenes from a Marriage, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Unrequited) and Florencia Lozano (Red Dog Howls, Macbeth, Privilege).

PLACEBO will begin previews Friday, February 20, 2015 with an Opening Night set for Monday, March 16 at 7PM. The limited engagement will play through Sunday evening, April 5 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).

A minty green pill - medication or sugar? Louise (Ms. Connolly) is working on a placebo-controlled study of a new female arousal drug. As her work in the lab navigates the blurry lines between perception and deception, more and more these same questions pertain to her life at home. With uncanny insight and unparalleled wit, Melissa James Gibson's affectionate comedy examines slippery truths and the power of crossed fingers.

The production will feature scenic and costume designs by Tony Award nominee David Zinn, lighting design by Matt Frey and sound design by Ryan Rumery. Production Stage Manager will be Kyle Gates.

The performance schedule for PLACEBO will be Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7PM, Thursdays and Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2:30 PM & 8PM and Sundays at 2:30 PM & 7:30 PM. The Wednesday evening, March 4 performance has an 8PM curtain and the Thursday evening, March 5 performance (a special performance for those age 30 and under) has an early 7PM curtain. Single tickets, $75-95, will go on sale to the general public starting the week of January 19. As of that week, single tickets may be purchased online via www.TicketCentral.com and www.Facebook.com, by phone at (212) 279-4200 (Noon-8pm daily) and in person at the Ticket Central Box Office, 416 West 42nd Street (between Ninth & Tenth Avenues).

Currently playing on the Playwrights Horizons Mainstage Theatre is the world premiere of a new play by Obie, Drama Desk and Lortel awards winner and MacArthur Foundation "Genius" Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Davis McCallum. Following POCATELLO and PLACEBO, the 2014/2015 Season will continue with IOWA, the world premiere of a new musical play by Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Commendation winner (2008) and finalist (2013) Jenny Schwartz, music and lyrics by Todd Almond, oratorio lyrics by Ms. Schwartz, directed by two-time Obie Award winner Ken Rus Schmoll; and conclude with THE QUALMS, the New York premiere of a new play by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Bruce Norris, directed by Tony and Obie awards winner Pam MacKinnon.

Subscription packages to Playwrights Horizons' 2014/2015 season are still available: FlexPass (4+ tickets, $50 per ticket); and Membership ($60 membership fee + one ticket at $45 or less for each show, as desired). In addition, the company will continue to offer 30&Under Membership ($20 membership fee + one $20 ticket for each show, as desired); and Student Membership ($10 membership fee + one $10 ticket for each show, as desired). In addition to discounts on all Mainstage season attractions, subscribers receive priority booking and seating, ticket exchange privileges, parking and dining discounts, and exclusive mailings of Playwrights Horizons Bulletins. Packages are available now at www.TicketCentral.com.

Patron Program Memberships begin at $1,500 (all but $550 is tax-deductible) and include two reserved house seats and personalized concierge service to all six Playwrights Horizons productions, and as well as a variety of exclusive benefits including invitations to attend special events with artists, staff and board members. Complete benefit list at www.PHnyc.org.

Playwrights Horizons' season productions are generously supported in part by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

Photo by Jennifer Broski

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