The world-premiere comedy about a middle-aged professor confronting the ideals of her past will run to Nov. 20. High demand for tickets prompted the extra performances.
Trip Cullman (The Last Sunday in June, Swimming in the Shallows) directs the production. Previews begin at the Playwrights Horizons intimate Peter Jay Sharp Theater Oct. 20 with an opening set for Oct. 30.
Playwrights Horizons' two-venue home is at 416 W. 42nd Street.
The cast features Deirdre O'Connell (2005 Obie for Sustained Excellence in Performing), Molly Price (Officer Faith Yokas on TV's "Third Watch"), 2005 Juilliard graduate Jessica Collins, Angel Desai (The Bubbly Black Girl Sheds Her Chameleon Skin at Playwrights Horizons), Michael Esper (Moon Bath Girl, Gone Missing) and Austin Lysy (Other People at Playwrights Horizons).
Manic Flight Reaction "concerns a middle-aged professor (Deirdre O'Connell) who must confront the demons of her idealistic past when her daughter (Jessica Collins) learns one of her mother's past liaisons (Molly Price) is the wife of the leading presidential candidate," according to Playwrights Horizons. It's billed as "a razor-edged comedy about abandonment, the intrusion of the mass-market media and the need for faith in goodness, despite the odds." The production features scenic design by Louisa Thompson, costume design by Jenny Mannis, lighting design by Paul Whitaker and sound design by Fitz Patton. Production stage manager is Marion Friedman.
Sarah Schulman's more recent plays include Correct Usage and Common Errors, Carson McCullers (Sundance Theater Lab, Playwrights Horizons, directed by Marion McClinton) and The Burning Deck (La Jolla Playhouse, starring Diane Venora). From 1979-1994, her plays and performance pieces were presented as part of the Downtown Arts Movement at such emblematic venues as PS 122, The Pyramid Club, HERE, La Mama and The Performing Garage. She is the author of eight novels including "Rat Bohemia" (1995) and "Shimmer" (1998).
A Pay What You Can Night will be offered on the first preview, Oct. 20 at 7:30 PM. For tickets or information, call Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or visit www.playwrightshorizons.org.
