More Words: MCC Extends Weller's Drama Fifty Words

By Ernio Hernandez
October 9, 2008

MCC Theatre has extended the lauded Off-Broadway run of Michael Weller's Fifty Words, starring Norbert Leo Butz and Elizabeth Marvel, to Nov. 8.

Following a delay due to injuries, the world premiere opened Oct. 1 at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Austin Pendleton directs the season opener that began previews Sept. 10. The limited run, originally slated to play through Oct. 25, now gets two extra weeks of performances.

"Something's gone very wrong behind the idyllic façade of Jan and Adam's Brooklyn brownstone," according to MCC notes for the two-character piece. "At 9:10 PM, they're reveling in the freedom of having waved off their young son, Greg, to a neighborhood sleepover. By 9:15 PM, they're both in tears. By 9:25 PM, things are way past tears."

The design team for Fifty Words features Neil Patel (scenic), Michelle Habeck (lighting) and Mimi O'Donnell (costume) with sound by Fitz Patton and Josh Schmidt (who also provides musical composition).

Tony Award winner Butz (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) appears with recent Top Girls star Marvel in the two-person drama.

Weller is known for his plays Loose Ends, Moonchildren, What the Night is For as well as for the book for the musical Zhivago.

The MCC season continues with Neil LaBute's The Break of Noon (Jan. 14-Feb. 28, 2009) and the musical Coraline (May 6-June 20, 2009), featuring music and lyrics by Stephin Merritt and a book by David Greenspan based on the novel by Neil Gaiman.

Tickets to Fifty Words at the Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher Street, are available by calling (212) 279-4200. For more information visit mcctheater.org.