PICKED Begins Previews 4/6 At The Vineyard Theatre

Mark Blum, Michael Stahl-David, Donna Hanover, Tom Lipinski and Liz Stauber will comprise the cast of Christopher Shinn's play PICKED -- being given its world-premiere production by the Vineyard Theatre (108 E. 15 St.), with previews starting April 6 prior to its official opening night on April 20 -- it has been announced by Douglas Aibel, the Vineyard's artistic director. Michael Wilson will direct.

PICKED concerns a young actor, played by Michael Stahl-David (star of the hit film CLOVERFIELD), who prepares for his life to change when a legendary director casts him as the lead in a big-budget Hollywood movie. But he is not prepared for what comes next, and everything he knows about himself will be called into question as he discovers what it means to be "picked."

PICKED marks the return of Christopher Shinn to the Vineyard Theatre, which presented the U.S. premiere of his Obie Award-winning play WHERE DO WE LIVE in 2004.

Mark Blum previously appeared at the Vineyard in Paula Vogel's THE LONG CHRISTMAS RIDE HOME. His credits on Broadway include TWELVE ANGRY MEN, THE GRADUATE, THE BEST MAN and LOST IN YONKERS. Off-Broadway credits include AFTER THE REVOLUTION, THE WAVERLY GALERY, TABLE SETTINGS and GUS AND AL, for which he received an Obie Award. He's appeared in the films "I Don't Know How She Does It," "Desperately Seeking Susan" and "The Presidio." TV credits include "The Good Wife" and "The West Wing."

Michael Stahl-David appeared in the Roundabout Theatre's production of THE OVERWHELMING, at Steppenwolf in ONE ARM and THEATER DISTRICT, as well as THE GOAT at Goodman Theatre in Chicago. He starred in the film "Cloverfield" and was featured in the television series "The Black Donnellys."

Donna Hanover appeared Off-Broadway in THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES and most recently in the musicAl HillBILLY WOMEN. Her numerous film credits include "The People vs. Larry Flynt" directed by Milos Forman, "Someone Like You," "Keeping the Faith," "Ransom" and "Just the Ticket." A journalist and author as well as an actress, Ms. Hanover is also the former First Lady of the City of New York.

Tom Lipinski appeared at the Flea Theatre in A.R. Gurney's play A LIGHT LUNCH, was featured in the HBO TV movie "The Wonderful Maladys," and will be seen in the upcoming HBO series "MildrEd Pierce" with Kate Winslet and in the upcoming film "Certainty" directed by Peter Askin.

Liz Stauber was featured in the Vineyard Theatre's U.S. premiere of Christopher Shinn's WHERE DO WE LIVE. Her film credits include "All Good Things," "The Tollbooth," "The Village," "White Oleander," and "Three Kings."

PICKED has set design by Rachel Hauck; costume design by Mattie Ullrich; lighting design by Russell Champa; sound design is by Jill BC DuBoff.

PICKED marks Mr. Wilson's directing debut at The Vineyard. He previously directed Mr. Shinn's WHAT DIDN'T HAPPEN at Playwrights Horizons. On Broadway, he has directed the Tony nominated Best Plays DIVIDING THE ESTATE and ENCHANTED APRIL, as well as the revival of Old Acquaintance. He directed Horton Foote's three-part, nine-hour THE ORPHAN'S CYCLE, for which he received a Drama Desk and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Director of a Play last season. He is currently represented Off-Broadway by the Roundabout Theatre Company's revival of Tennessee Williams' THE MILK TRAIN DOESN'T STOP HERE ANYMORE. This June, Wilson completes his 13th and final season as Artistic Director at Hartford Stage, where Shinn was the NEA/TCG playwright in residence in 2001-2002.

Mr. Shinn's other plays include DYING CITY, a finalist for the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, along with FOUR, OTHER PEOPLE, THE COMING WORLD and NOW OR LATER. His plays have been premiered by the Vineyard Theatre, Royal Court Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Playwrights Horizons and South Coast Repertory, and have been performed at regional theatres across the country.

One of the nation's leading non-profit theatre companies dedicated to new plays and musicals and bold programming, The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works including the Pulitzer Prize-winning productions of Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN and Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, Tarell Alvin McCraney's WIG OUT!, The Civilians' THIS BEAUTIFUL CITY, Nicky Silver's PTERODACTYLS and RAISED IN CAPTIVITY, the Laura Nyro musical ELI'S COMIN', A BOY AND HIS SOUL, written and performed by Colman Domingo, Adam Rapp's THE METAL CHILDREN and most recently the acclaimed world premiere of Will Eno's MIDDLETOWN.

Vineyard Theatre is the recipient of the Tony Award for the musical AVENUE Q and continues as producer of the musical's current production at New World Stages in New York. The Vineyard produced the world-premiere of the musical THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - with music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, book by David Thompson, with direction and choreography Susan Stroman - in March 2010 and on Broadway. The Vineyard also produced the musical [title of show] both off and on Broadway.

Mr. Aibel is Artistic Director of the Vineyard Theatre; Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell is Executive Director.

Tickets to PICKED are $65. Scheduled through May 15, PICKED will perform Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 3 p.m.

For more information about Vineyard Theatre, visit the company's website
www.vineyardtheatre.org or call 212 353 0303.