Sold-Out Blackbird Run Ends June 10 at MTC City Center Stage I

By Kenneth Jones
June 7, 2007

Manhattan Theatre Club's American-premiere production of David Harrower's Olivier Award-winning two-character drama, Blackbird, is in the final days of its scheduled engagement at City Center Stage I. It will close June 10.

The production, with direction by Joe Mantello and performances of Alison Pill and Jeff Daniels, was so lauded by critics that there was speculation of a commercial move. Two actors (abetted by some passer-by extras) on one set would seem to be a producer's dream scenario. No commercial production in Manhattan is expected.

Some observers in the New York theatre community opined that if Daniels' performances had been on Broadway at the moment, he would be giving Frost/Nixon's Frank Langella a serious run for the money in the Tony Award category of Best Actor in a Play.

The run of Blackbird at City Center is sold out. By the June 10 close, it will have played 29 previews and 68 regular performances.

The searing drama shows the attraction and repulsion between an estranged woman and man in his workplace, where she has cornered him. It's revealed that they were lovers when she was a child. She's now trying to make sense of the pieces. What happened when they parted years ago, and where they have been since, is the meat of the graphic play.

Ben Brantley of The New York Times called it "the most powerful drama of the season."

Blackbird received three Drama Desk Award nominations including Outstanding Play, three Drama League nominations including Distinguished Production of a Play and an Outer Critic Circle nomination.

The creative team included Scott Pask (set design), Laura Bauer (costume design), Paul Gallo (lighting design) and Darron L. West (sound design).

Visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com for more information.