On the Eve of Resignation: MCC Relives President's Final Night in Office in Nixon's Nixon

By Ernio Hernandez
04 Oct 2006

Steve Mellor and Gerry Bamman in the 1995 production of Nixon's Nixon.
Steve Mellor and Gerry Bamman in the 1995 production of Nixon's Nixon.
photo by Joan Marcus

Russell Lees' Nixon's Nixon starring Gerry Bamman and Steve Mellor returns to the MCC Theater stage as the 10th anniversary staging by director Jim Simpson opens Off-Broadway Oct. 4.

The two-character political satire began performances Sept. 20 for a run currently slated through Oct. 28.

The stars of the original Off-Broadway production presented by MCC over a decade ago reprise the roles they originated in Nixon's Nixon. Also joining the reunion will be original scenic designer Kyle Chepulis.

Bamman — who earned an OBIE Award for his original portrayal — plays President Richard M. Nixon opposite Mellor as Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger in the intermissionless work which imagines the conversation that transpired the night before the Commander-in-Chief announced his resignation.

The production also features design work by Brian Aldous (lighting), Claudia Brown (costume), Jill DuBoff (sound) and Brian H. Kim (projections).

Following Tuesday performances, MCC will host talkback sessions with journalist Kurt Andersen (co-founder Spy Magazine, New York Magazine columnist ) and Dean of Milano The New School for Management and Urban Policy Fred Hochberg - Oct. 10, "President Nixon: Alone in the White House" author Richard Reeves - Oct. 17 and The Culture Project artistic director Allan Buchman with political commentator/comedian Andy Borowitz (author of "The Republican Playbook") - Oct. 24.

Up next, the Off-Broadway troupe that presented Neil LaBute's Some Girl(s) last season will continue that collaboration with its playwright-in-residence LaBute. The world premiere of In a Dark, Dark House — "a drama about a man and his complicated relationship with a complicated father" — comes to the MCC stage May 16-June 23, 2007.

The new LaBute work will mark the fifth collaboration with MCC following The Mercy Seat, The Distance From Here, Fat Pig and Some Girl(s). MCC also produced a one night benefit evening of LaBute plays, Autobahn.

One production in the new three-play season (to play January-March 2007) is yet to be announced.

Tickets to Nixon's Nixon at the Lucille Lortel, 121 Christopher Street, are available by calling (212-279-4200). For more information, visit www.mcctheater.org.

Gerry Bamman and Steve Mellor in the 2006 production of Nixon's Nixon.
Gerry Bamman and Steve Mellor in the 2006 production of Nixon's Nixon.