The 7:30 PM staged reading features two-time Emmy Award winner and MCC Theater board member Julianna Margulies and stage and screen star Paul Rudd.

The event is part of MCC’s celebration of a decade of collaboration and new work with playwright LaBute, whose Reasons to Be Happy is currently playing the Lortel. Proceeds benefit MCC Theater’s literary development programs, including the Playwrights’ Coalition and free PlayLab reading series.

The Mercy Seat, which is set on Sept. 12, 2001, is described as such: "The twin towers are down and the world has changed overnight. Two people, a married man (believed to be among the victims of the tragedy) and his boss (and mistress) are holed up in her apartment contemplating their next move: return to their old lives or run away and start anew."

Originally produced in 2002, The Mercy Seat was among the first dramatic works to respond to the events of 9/11, and marked the first collaboration between MCC Theater and LaBute, who have gone on to collaborate on seven productions of new plays over the last 10 years.

Tickets are priced at $250 (premium seating and post-show reception with the cast), $100 (orchestra in front mezzanine) and $75 (mezzanine). Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.mcctheater.org or calling (212) 352-3101.