Two productions — George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber's The Royal Family and Donald Margulies' Collected Stories — will play the company's Broadway venue, the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, while Margulies' Time Stands Still is one of three shows planned for MTC's Off-Broadway theatre at New York City Center — Stage I.
Among the company of actors for the various shows are Tony winners Linda Lavin, John Glover, Rosemary Harris and Jan Maxwell.
In a statement Meadow said, "I am excited about the upcoming shows and the return of some of MTC's most beloved artists. I look forward to a repertoire that will provide laughter, food for thought and some plain old escape."
Grove added, "We are proud that our most recent shows were so well-received by our audiences and critics alike, and that American Plan, Ruined and Humor Abuse all extended their runs which has brought new audiences to MTC's theatres."
Meadow and Grove jointly said, "Next season, MTC will produce six productions instead of seven. In response to the current economic climate, we are carefully managing our resources. We will do three plays at our 650 seat Friedman Theatre and will consolidate our work at City Center to three plays on our 300 seat Stage I. Our 150 seat Stage II will be made available to other theatre companies to present their work. In addition to our six shows for 2009-2010, our work will include our '7@7' reading series and our new play commissioning program. In addition, we will continue our extensive education outreach program in the public schools." Season details follow:
Broadway's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
The Royal Family
Written by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber
Directed by Doug Hughes
Previews begin Sept. 15, 2009
Opens Oct. 8, 200
Doug Hughes will direct a cast that includes Tony winner John Glover as Herbert Dean, Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee Rosemary Harris as Fanny Cavendish, Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Jan Maxwell as Julie Cavendish and Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award nominee Reg Rogers as Tony Cavendish.
"It's half past one in the fabulously cluttered Cavendish duplex in the East Fifties, and anyone who's anyone is still asleep. So begins The Royal Family, the classic comedy of theatrical manners. . . . This devilishly funny play follows the Cavendishes, the famous family of stage stars, as they go about the drama of the day: choosing scripts, dashing off to a performance, and stealing kisses with handsome beaus. But what's this business about the younger Miss Cavendish wanting to quit the stage for domestic bliss? Never, darling!"
Collected Stories
Written by Donald Margulies
Directed by Lynne Meadow
Previews April 6, 2010
Opens April 28, 2010
Linda Lavin stars.
"Collected Stories chronicles the relationship between two female writers: Ruth Steiner (Lavin), a celebrated New York author with a dry wit and a distinguished career; and her bright-eyed young protégé, Lisa Morrison. As their relationship evolves and the line between fact and fiction starts to blur, their fascinating story comes to an explosive conclusion."
Off-Broadway at City Center — Stage I
Time Stands Still
Written by Donald Margulies
Directed by Daniel Sullivan
Previews Oct. 15, 2009
Opens Nov. 3, 2009
"James and Sarah, a journalist and a photographer, have been together for nine years and share a passion for documenting the realities of war. But when injuries force them to return home to New York, the adventurous couple confronts the prospect of a more conventional life."
For more information on Manhattan Theatre Club, visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.
