Molly Smith Metzler News

With panache and pedal-to-the-metal intensity, Molly Smith Metzler's culture clash comedy-of-bad-manners, ELEMENO PEA, squares off two sisters with a wealthy employer, unleashing a succession of secrets in a brutal dissection of significant moments and how they can launch or derail a life. Unfolding in real time, this hearty class system stew transitions fluidly from hilarity to poignancy and offers an amusing morality tale about the compromising consequences of money's seductive power. Mark Valdez (Learn to Be Latina) returns to Mixed Blood to direct the regional premiere, which opens February 22 and runs through March 17, 2013 at Mixed Blood's historic firehouse theatre on the West Bank, 1501 S. Fourth St. in Minneapolis.

As expected (thankfully) 2012 provided Southern California audiences--specifically here in Orange County and nearby Los Angeles and San Diego--a season full of outstanding, remarkable theater offerings from touring companies, impressive regional productions, and even some tiny black box theaters. And, of course, as is the common practice during the ushering of a new year, the enjoyable past-time of putting together a year-end 'best of' list is something contributor Michael Lawrence Quintos truly looks forward to doing, especially when there's a plethora of great work to choose from--many of which he had the pleasure of reviewing exclusively for BroadwayWorld.

SPACE on Ryder Farm, a not-for-profit artist workshop center announces its 2nd season. Housed on an operating organic farm in picturesque Brewster, NY, SPACE will host over 100 artists as they develop 40 projects.

Molly Smith Metzler's ELEMENO PEA features a pair of sisters: down-to-earth Devon and status-seeking Simone. Simone works as a personal assistant to Michaela Kell, the trophy wife of a wealthy ad executive, and she's planned a sisters' weekend in the Kells' gorgeous beachfront mansion. But within minutes of the girls' arrival, Michaela crashes the party. She and her husband have had a fight, and she's counting on Simone to help her keep from becoming Ex-Wife Number Two. The ensuing chaos brings to light old wounds and explosive secrets that turn everyone's worlds upside-down. Get a first look at the production below!

While laughing fairly consistently throughout Molly Smith Metzler's funny new American play ELEMENO PEA--now having its West Coast premiere engagement at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa through February 26--you'll probably feel like you're sitting in a live studio taping of a fresh new sitcom about the rich and the spoiled in the posh enclave of Martha's Vineyard. Unfolding in real time, the play is refreshingly of-the-moment, making it quite entertaining and approachable to contemporary audiences no matter where someone stands in the economic spectrum.

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE, the new play by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman will end its limited engagement at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street) on Sunday, January 29. When it ends its run, it will have played 21 previews and 46 regular performances.

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE, the new play by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman will end its limited engagement at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street) on Sunday, January 29. When it ends its run, it will have played 21 previews and 46 regular performances.

David Hyde Pierce, who is currently starring in Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman, will be a guest on tonight's "Late Show with David Letterman" (airing locally on WCBS at 11:35 PM).

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE, the new play by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman opened last night, Monday, December 19 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I. CLOSE UP SPACE features Obie Award winner Michael Chernus (The Aliens, In The Wake), Jessica DiGiovanni (Off-Broadway debut), Colby Minifie (The Pillowman, Landscape of the Body), Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Rosie Perez (Fearless, The Ritz) and Tony Award and four-time Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce ('Frasier,' Curtains). BroadwayWorld was on hand for opening night and brings you photo coverage below!

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE, the new play by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman opens tonight, Monday, December 19 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). CLOSE UP SPACE features Obie Award winner Michael Chernus (The Aliens, In The Wake), Jessica DiGiovanni (Off-Broadway debut), Colby Minifie (The Pillowman, Landscape of the Body), Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Rosie Perez (Fearless, The Ritz) and Tony Award and four-time Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce ('Frasier,' Curtains). Check out highlights from the show below!

The Manhattan Theatre Club world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE, by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman began previews Thursday, December 1 and opens Monday, December 19 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). Actor David Hyde Pierce will visit "LIVE!" on Monday December 12th to talk about his play "Close Up Space.' Check your local listings.

The Manhattan Theatre Club world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE, by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman began previews Thursday, December 1 and opens Monday, December 19 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). Actor David Hyde Pierce will visit "LIVE!" on Monday December 12th to talk about his play "Close Up Space.' Check your local listings.

The Manhattan Theatre Club world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE, by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman began previews Thursday, December 1 and opens Monday, December 19 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). Check out production shots from the show below!

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE, the new play by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman begins previews tonight, December 1 at 8 PM at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). The limited engagement will open Monday, December 19.

The Manhattan Theatre Club world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE, by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman will begin previews Thursday, December 1 and opens Monday, December 19 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I. Today, the company met the press and BroadwayWorld brings you photo coverage below!

The Manhattan Theatre Club world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE, by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman begins rehearsals today.

The Manhattan Theatre Club has announced full casting for the upcoming world premiere of CLOSE UP SPACE by Molly Smith Metzler, directed by Leigh Silverman. Joining the cast is Academy Award & Emmy Award nominee Rosie Perez (Fearless, The Ritz) as famous author 'Vanessa Finn Adams.' Completing the cast are Jessica DiGiovanni (Off-Broadway Debut) and Colby Minifie (The Pillowman, Landscape of the Body) as well as already announced Tony Award and four-time Emmy Award winner David Hyde Pierce ('Frasier', Curtains) and Obie Award winner Michael Chernus (The Aliens, In The Wake).

New York City Center will reopen following a historic renovation and modernization with a star-studded gala on October 25. The event will kick off a celebratory season of new and expanded programming, festivals, exhibits, a special commission, and performances by world-class dance and theater companies. The renovation, designed by Ennead Architects, LLP (formerly Polshek Partnership), has transformed the landmark building into a contemporary cultural center complete with modern amenities and enhanced historic details, from the mezzanine lobby's painted ceiling and murals to the auditorium's arabesque dome. City Center is located on 55th Street between 6th and 7th Avenues.

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director), Barry Grove (Executive Producer), and Mandy Greenfield (Artistic Producer) announced additional casting and creative team members for the upcoming Manhattan Theatre Club world premiere productions of WE LIVE HERE by Zoe Kazan and CLOSE UP SPACE by Molly Smith Metzler, at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).