The production directed by Jim Simpson began May 23 and will run through June 28 at the Acorn Theatre.
Intrigue With Faye focuses on an urban couple who reach an impasse in their relationship when an infidelity is revealed. Determined to repair their broken trust, documentary filmmaker Kean (Bratt) proposes to therapist Lissa (Margulies) that they videotape their every move. The dark comedy, which draws on references to reality television, delves into issues of exhibitionism, narcissism, confession and modern society's increasing tendency to track the actions of everyday citizens. The play was developed at Atlantic Theater Company and NY Stage and Film — where Margulies starred.
Gretchen Mol (The Shape of Things), Craig Bierko (The Music Man), Swoosie Kurtz (Imaginary Friends), Tom Noonan (Buried Child), Michael Gaston (Joe Egg) and Jenna Lamia (The Glory of Living) also appear in work, albeit only in video segments.
Mol plays the title character of Faye, a TV producer involved in an affair with Bratt's character — who is also involved with make-up artist Tina, played by Lamia. Kurtz, Noonan and Gaston play clientele of Margulies' character and Bierko plays a colleague. Their scenes are projected on a screen at the back of the Acorn stage. The play also incorporates a variety of taped scenes featuring Margulies and Bratt.
The design team includes Riccardo Hernandez (set), Fabio Toblini (costume), Robert Wierzel (lighting) and Fabian Obisop (sound). Obisop also provides original music for the MCC production. Margulies recently appeared onstage in Lincoln Center Theater's production of Ten Unknowns opposite Donald Sutherland. The actress, who also appeared in The Vagina Monologues, is best remembered as an original cast member of television's "ER."
Bratt is best known for his four-year stint on "Law & Order." The actor has also appeared in such films as "Pinero," "Traffic" and "Miss Congeniality." Bratt appeared onstage recently in a benefit for "The 24 Hour Plays."
Playwright Robin was the 1995 recipient of the Princess Grace Award for Playwriting and a 1997 recipient of the Whitfield Cook Prize. She serves as executive story editor for the HBO drama, "Six Feet Under." Her stagework includes The Light Outside (The Flea Theatre), Swimming In March (Market Theater), Bride Stripped Bare (ThreadWaxing Space) and 7 Trumpets (The Women's Project).
Director Simpson is the founder and artistic director of The Flea Theatre. He helmed the stage production as well as the subsequent film version of "The Guys" starring his wife Sigourney Weaver. Intrigue reteams the director with MCC — for whom he directed Nixon's Nixon — and with playwright Robin — after helming the world premiere of The Light Outside which starred MCC artistic director Robert LuPone.
Tickets to Intrigue With Faye at the Acorn Theatre, 410 West 42nd Street, are available by calling (212) 279-4200. For more information on MCC, visit www.MCCTheater.org.
