Patricia Conolly, Darren Goldstein Join Cast of The New Group's RASHEEDA SPEAKING; Cynthia Nixon Directs

The New Group continues its 20th Anniversary Season with the New York Premiere of Rasheeda Speaking, by Joel Drake Johnson, helmed by Cynthia Nixon in her directorial debut. This production features Patricia Conolly, Darren Goldstein, and as previously announced, Tonya Pinkins and Dianne Wiest. A limited Off-Broadway engagement plays January 27 - March 22, 2015, with Official Opening Night set for Wednesday, February 11 at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street).

Despite their differences, Ileen and Jaclyn have developed a real bond in the six months they've worked together at the front desk of Dr. Williams' office. When the doctor decides to get rid of Jaclyn, he enlists Ileen to help him find fault with her. Jaclyn, sensing betrayal, turns the tables, unleashing a chilling power struggle in this incisive and crisply funny look at the unspoken tensions buried inside our "post-racial" America. Rasheeda Speaking features Patricia Conolly (Rose), Darren Goldstein (Dr. Williams), Tonya Pinkins (Jaclyn) and Dianne Wiest (Ileen).

This production features Set Design by Allen Moyer, Costume Design by Toni-Leslie James, Lighting Design by Jennifer Tipton and Sound Design and Original Music by David Van Tieghem.

The New Group opened its 20th Anniversary Season with David Rabe's Sticks and Bones, directed by Scott Elliott and featuring Richard Chamberlain, Nadia Gan, Holly Hunter, Morocco Omari, Bill Pullman, Ben Schnetzer and Raviv Ullman, currently playing in a limited Off-Broadway engagement through December 14. Rasheeda Speaking marks the second production in The New Group 2014-2015 Season, to be followed by the world premiere of The Spoils, a new play written by and featuring Jesse Eisenberg, directed by Scott Elliott (previews begin May 2015).

The New Group, led by founding Artistic Director Scott Elliott and Executive Director Adam Bernstein, is an award-winning, artist-driven company with a commitment to developing and producing powerful, contemporary theater. Founded in 1995, The New Group was born of Artistic Director Scott Elliott's desire to develop a place for artists to experiment, take risks and learn from each other without the pressures of commercial theater. Notable productions at The New Group include Ecstasy, This is Our Youth, Aunt Dan and Lemon, Hurlyburly, Abigail's Party, Rafta, Rafta..., The Starry Messenger, A Lie of the Mind, Blood From a Stone, Marie and Bruce, and many more. The company has received over 90 awards and nominations for excellence. The New Group is a recipient of the 2004 Tony® Award for Best Musical (Avenue Q). In 2011, The Kid received five Drama Desk nominations and the Outer Critics Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical. That year, The New Group and Scott Elliott were honored with a Drama Desk Special Award "for presenting contemporary new voices, and for uncompromisingly raw and powerful productions." The company's 2013-2014 season included the New York premiere of Beth Henley's The Jacksonian, directed by Robert Falls, featuring Ed Harris, Glenne Headly, Amy Madigan, Bill Pullman and Juliet Brett; the world premiere of Thomas Bradshaw's Intimacy, directed by Scott Elliott; and the New York premiere of Sharr White's Annapurna, directed by Bart DeLorenzo, starring Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman.

The Pershing Square Signature Center, the permanent home of Signature Theatre, is a three-theatre facility on West 42nd Street designed by Frank Gehry Architects to host Signature's three distinct playwrights' residencies and foster a cultural community. The Center is a major contribution to New York City's cultural landscape and provides a venue for cultural organizations that supports and encourages collaboration among artists throughout the space. In addition to its three intimate theatres, the Center features a studio theatre, rehearsal studio, a bookstore, and Signature Café and Bar, open to public from noon-midnight Tuesdays-Sundays. For more information on renting the Center, please visit www.signaturetheatre.org/rentals.

Tickets may be arranged at www.thenewgroup.org, or by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, or in person at 416 West 42nd Street (12-8pm daily). Regular tickets are $77.00. Premium tickets are $97.00. Rasheeda Speaking plays as follows: Tuesday - Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 2:00pm & 8:00pm and Sunday at 2:00pm; with Wednesday matinees at 2:00pm from February 18 through March 22.

Subscriptions for The New Group 2014-2015 season available now. For subscriptions & info, please visit www.thenewgroup.org. Subscriptions also available by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, or in person at 416 West 42nd Street (12-8pm daily).

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