Paquin and London Original Cast Webber Star in LaBute's The Distance From Here

By Ernio Hernandez
12 Mar 2004

Anna Paquin in Roulette.
Anna Paquin in Roulette.
Photo by Carol Rosegg

Academy Award winner Anna Paquin ("The Piano"), currently playing Off-Broadway in Roulette, and original London cast member Mark Webber, lead the cast of the upcoming MCC Theatre staging of Neil LaBute's The Distance From Here.

Michael Greif (Rent, Never Gonna Dance) directs the American premiere of the work set to begin at The Duke on 42nd Street, April 14 and open May 6.

Amelia Alvarez (The Laramie Project), Ian Brennan (Juvenilia), Josh Charles ("Dead Poets Society," "Sports Night"), Melissa Leo ("21 Grams"), Logan Marshall-Green (The Rainmaker) and Alison Pill ("Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen") will also star in the work.

LaBute's The Distance From Here, which had its world premiere at London's Almeida, centers on a teen-aged slacker and his struggle with the discord in his family life: a mother who doesn't remember his childhood, a stepsister who wants to become sexually involved with him, and the boyfriend of his mother who is sleeping with his stepsister.

Distance was scheduled for last season but was replaced by the more timely The Mercy Seat as part of MCC's 2002-2003 season. MCC also recently presented Autobahn — a one-night benefit of five one-acts by LaBute.

Greif's other credits include Machinal, A Bright Room Called Day, Casanova, Marisol, Pericles, Dogeaters and Fuckin' A — all at the Public Theatre. The former La Jolla Playhouse artistic director also helmed Bright Lights Big City (NYTW), Monster (Classic Stage Company), A Few Stout Individuals (Signature Theatre), Betty Rules (Zipper Theatre) and Cavedweller (NYTW).

Playwright LaBute is known for his gritty dramas, which include The Shape of Things, bash: latter-day plays and his film work including "In the Company of Men," "Your Friends and Neighbors" and "Nurse Betty."

The design team for Distance features Louisa Thompson (sets), Angela Wendt (costumes), James Vermuelen (lights) and Robert Kaplowitz (sound) — who also provides additional music. Rick Sordelet handles fight direction.

Tickets to The Distance From Here at The Duke, 229 West 42nd Street, go on sale March 22 through (212) 239-6200. For more information on MCC, visit www.mcctheater.com.