In addition to Neuwirth, who won Emmys for playing Lilith on "Cheers" and Tonys for the first Broadway revivals of Chicago (Best Actress, 1997) and Sweet Charity (Best Featured Actress, 1986), the Off-Broadway cast will include Drama Desk Award winner Lorenzo Pisoni (Humor Abuse at MTC, Shakespeare in the Park's Measure for Measure and All's Well That Ends Well, Broadway's Equus).
Four-time Tony Award winner McNally (Master Class, Ragtime, Love! Valour! Compassion!, Kiss of the Spider Woman) returns to a favorite subject for the new play— opera. Neuwirth will play Maria Malibran and Pisoni will play Antonio Tamburini, two famous opera singers of the 19th century.
Previews begin Nov. 13 prior to an opening of Dec. 4 in a limited engagement at MTC's home at New York City Center – Stage I on West 55th Street. The play was previously seen in Philadelphia and Washington, DC.
"It's opening night of Vincenzo Bellini's new opera I Puritani in Paris, and the Italian composer is determined to win the adulation of not only his audience, but his colleagues and rivals as well," according to MTC. "When the curtain falls, will a thunderous ovation cement his prominence? Or has Bellini unwittingly composed his own swan song? Blending 21st century language and humor with the timeless beauty of 19th century bel canto opera, Golden Age portrays the final act of an artist whose desire for greatness has eclipsed all else."
Neuwirth most recently starred in the Off-Broadway production of A Midsummer Night's Dream and on Broadway in The Addams Family. The creative team for Golden Age will include Santo Loquasto (scenic design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Peter Kaczorowski (lighting design) and Ryan Rumery (sound design).
Additional casting will be announced.
Subscriptions for MTC's 2012-13 season are now available by calling (212) 399-3050 or online at ManhattanTheatreClub.com.
On Oct. 1, single tickets for the 2012-13 season go on sale via CityTix at (212) 581-1212 and nycitycenter.org. On Oct. 15, the New York City Center Box Office (131 W. 55th Street) will begin selling single tickets to the season's shows.
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MTC is under the leadership of artistic director Lynne Meadow and executive producer Barry Grove. MTC has a Broadway home at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 W. 47th Street) and an Off-Broadway theatre at New York City Center – Stage I (131 W. 55th Street). Since January 2011, Mandy Greenfield (artistic producer) has led the programming and execution at MTC's Off-Broadway home.
