A third Biltmore production and a fourth City Center production will be announced at a later date.
The season will include a revival of an American classic — a rare thing for MTC, which is lauded for its focus on new and recent works. MTC artistic director Lynne Meadow will direct Clifford Odets' The Country Girl in 2007, in celebration of the playwright's centenary.
Other playwrights represented are Charles Busch, David Harrower, Simon Mendes da Costa and Paul Rudnick.
Off-Broadway, Busch's Our Leading Lady and Rudnick's Regrets Only will make their world premieres. Busch will reunite with director Meadow; the pair created Off-Broadway, Broadway and national touring magic with The Tale of the Allergist's Wife. Christopher Ashley, Rudnick's creative partner on Jeffrey and other comedies, will direct the comic Regrets Only.
Here's a breakdown of MTC's 2006-07 plan:
Losing Louie, an American premiere of the play by Simon Mendes da Costa, directed by Jerry Zaks. Previews at the Biltmore begin Sept. 21. Opening is Oct. 12. "How do our childhood memories affect our lives? How do the mistakes of one generation impact the next? And most importantly, why does love make us do such crazy things? This wise and witty new play explores these questions, as two generations of family members work things out in the same bedroom, fifty years apart. This American premiere announces the arrival of a major talent, playwright Simon Mendes da Costa, in a new production of the comedy that was a recent hit in London's West End."The Country Girl, by Clifford Odets, directed by Lynne Meadow. Previews begin at the Biltmore April 12, 2007. Opening is May 3. "The title character, Georgie, is married to actor Frank Elgin, once a great theatre star, now down on his luck. When Frank is offered a major role by young, hotshot director Bernie Dodd, he has the chance to make a major comeback. The pressures created by a high stakes out-of-town tryout bring into dramatic focus the complicated relationship between husband and wife. Life backstage becomes an emotional and psychological battleground for all three characters."Regrets Only, a world premiere play by Paul Rudnick, directed by Christopher Ashley. Previews at City Center Stage I begin Oct. 19. Opening is Nov. 14. "From the pen of the inspired Paul Rudnick comes a delicious world premiere comedy of Manhattan manners, exploring the very latest topics in marriage and friendship. The setting: a Park Avenue penthouse. The players: a powerhouse attorney, his deliriously social wife and their closest friend, one of the world's most staggeringly successful fashion designers. Add a daughter's engagement, some major gowns, the President of the United States, and stir. This wedding gift arrives courtesy of the Obie-winning author of such plays as Jeffrey, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told and I Hate Hamlet."Blackbird, an American premiere by David Harrower (director to be announced). Previews at City Center Stage I begin March 15, 2007. Opening is April 10, 2007. "One of the most talked-about plays to come out of London in years, David Harrower's Blackbird will come to life at MTC in a thrilling new American production. This powerful, volatile piece begins when Una shows up unexpectedly at the office of Ray, forcing Ray to come to terms with the effects of their relationship. Una pulls Ray into an encounter that is gripping, surprising and utterly unforgettable."Our Leading Lady, a world premiere by Charles Busch, directed by Lynne Meadow. Previews at City Center Stage II begin Nov. 30. Opening is Dec. 19. "The author of the hilarious MTC hit The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, which earned a Tony nomination for Best Play, returns with a truly original play about the theatre. Laura Keane, a 19th century American stage luminary, prepares to perform at Ford's Theatre on the fateful night when Abraham Lincoln is in the audience. This new play captures the magic of the theatre as only Charles Busch can." MTC is under the leadership of artistic director Lynne Meadow and executive producer Barry Grove.
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