Richardson, Smith Lead MCC Theater's SIDE EFFECTS

MCC Theater (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey, William Cantler, Artistic Directors; Blake West, Executive Director) today announced that Joely Richardson and Cotter Smith will star in the third and final production of the company's 25th Anniversary Season, Side Effects by Michael Weller. As previously announced, David Auburn (author of the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning Broadway smash Proof) will direct this world premiere production. Performances of this two-person play begin at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC) on June 2, 2011 with an official opening night set for Sunday, June 19, 2011. Please note that these dates reflect a different schedule than the one previously announced for this production.

MCC Theater's 2008 hit Fifty Words (with acclaimed performances by Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Marvel) culminated in one desperate phone call. Side Effects is the story of what happened on the other end of the line. This harrowing and unique journey is expertly plotted by playwright Michael Weller, noted for Loose Ends and Moonchildren, a seminal work for the American stage. Hugh and Lindy's marriage seems picture-perfect, a beacon in their microcosmic Midwestern world of dinner parties and fundraisers. But, behind closed doors - doors they can barely keep shut - they're falling apart and Hugh's rising political star is suddenly imperiled.

MCC's world premiere production of Sharr White's The Other Place, directed by Tony Award winner Joe Mantello, has been extended through May 1, 2011. Tickets for The Other Place and Side Effects are available by visiting www.mcctheater.org or by contacting Ticket Central directly at www.ticketcentral.com or calling 212-279-4200.

MCC Theater is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary season as one of New York City's leading Off Broadway theater companies, committed to presenting New York and world premieres each season. When MCC Theater was founded in 1986, its mission was simple: to bring new theatrical voices to theater-going audiences. MCC Theater continues to accomplish this yearly through three programmatic areas: its mainstage works; its Playwrights' Coalition, which actively seeks and develops new and emerging writers; and its Education & Outreach Programs, including the Youth Company, which allow more than 1,200 students yearly to experience theater, increase literacy and discover their own voices through the creation of original theater pieces. Notable MCC Theater highlights include: the 2008 Tony Award-nominated reasons to be pretty by Neil LaBute, last season's The Pride, Fifty Words, the 2004 Tony-winning production of Bryony Lavery's Frozen; Neil LaBute's Fat Pig; Rebecca Gilman's The Glory of Living; Marsha Norman's Trudy Blue; Margaret Edson's Pulitzer Prize-winning Wit; Tim Blake Nelson's The Grey Zone and Alan Bowne's Beirut. Over the years, the dedication to the work of new and emerging artists has earned MCC Theater a variety of awards.

For more information on MCC Theater, visit www.mcctheater.org.

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