The play about escaping family and embracing your identity got solid reviews and was determined by the 2008-09 Tony Administration Committee to be eligible as a Best Play this season, despite its Off-Broadway and regional life over the past 19 years. By close, the new staging of the drama will have had 23 previews and 69 performances.
The American Plan, starring Tony and Academy Award winner Ruehl and Lily Rabe as mother and daughter, was directed by Tony nominee David Grindley (Journey's End, Pygmalion). It opened Jan. 22 after previews from Jan. 2.
The American Plan also stars Kieran Campion (Pygmalion, Journey's End), Austin Lysy (A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Delacorte) and Outer Critics Circle Award winner Brenda Pressley (The First Breeze of Summer).
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According to MTC, "It is the Catskill Mountains in the early 1960s, and Lili Adler (Rabe) and her mother Eva (Ruehl) are spending the summer across the lake from a bustling hotel where comics entertain and buffets overflow. When a handsome young stranger (Campion) enters their world, the emotionally fragile Lili finds herself falling in love. But once her imperious mother learns of their relationship, lies are exposed, alliances are forged and Lili's one chance to escape her mother's control may be lost forever." The Broadway production marks MTC's eighth collaboration with Greenberg; a relationship that includes the original Off-Broadway production of The American Plan, which premiered in 1990 at MTC at New York City Center – Stage II and then transferred to Stage I. Other MTC productions of Greenberg plays include Eastern Standard, The Extra Man, Jenny Keeps Talking, Night and Her Stars, the Pulitzer Prize-nominated Three Days of Rain, and The Violet Hour.
Greenberg's new play, Our Mother's Brief Affair, will have its world premiere at South Coast Rep this spring.
The creative team includes Jonathan Fensom (scenic and costume design), Mark McCullough (lighting design), Darron L West & Bray Poor (sound design) and Tom Watson (wig design).
For tickets visit Telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200 or (800) 432-7250.
For more information visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.
