MTC Announces Productions for 2009-2010 Season

Manhattan Theatre Club have announced three of the productions for Manhattan Theatre Club�s upcoming 2009-2010 theatrical season, including two of the three productions at MTC�s Broadway theatre, the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (The Royal Family, Collected Stories) and the first of the three shows planned for MTC�s Off-Broadway theatre at New York City Center � Stage I (Time Stands Still).

Lynne Meadow (MTC's Artistic Director) 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.�

Barry Grove (MTC's Executive Producer) said, "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.�

Together they 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.�

MTC�S Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (Broadway)

The Royal Family
Written by George S. Kaufman & Edna Ferber
Directed by Doug Hughes
Previews begin 15 Sep 2009
Opening Night: 8 Oct 2009

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, written by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber, whose other storied collaborations include 'Dinner at Eight' and 'Stage Door.

The Royal Family 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!

The comedy will be directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Doubt). And the cast 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.�

This will mark Harris� second time appearing in The Royal Family on Broadway. In the 1976 production, she played the role of �Julie Cavendish,� the role that will be played by Jan Maxwell in the upcoming Broadway production.

MTC�S Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (Broadway)

Collected Stories
Written by Donald Margulies
Directed by Lynne Meadow
Previews begin 6 Apr 2010
Opening Night: 28 Apr 2010

Tony Award winner Linda Lavin and director Lynne Meadow, who collaborated on MTC�s 'The Tale of the Allergist�s Wife,' reunite for a new production of Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies' celebrated drama.

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 prot�g�, Lisa Morrison. As their relationship evolves and the line between fact and fiction starts to blur, their story comes to an explosive conclusion.

MTC at New York City Center � Stage I (Off-Broadway)

Time Stands Still
Written by Donald Margulies
Directed by Daniel Sullivan
Previews begin 15 Oct 2009
Opening Night: 3 Nov 2009

Are we supposed to deny ourselves ordinary happiness because there�s misery in the world? This is one of many questions Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies poses in his new play.

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.

This new production of Time Stands Still marks the fourth collaboration for Margulies and Tony winning director Daniel Sullivan ('Sight Unseen' on Broadway, 'Brooklyn Boy,''Dinner with' Friends).

The upcoming productions of Time Stands Still at Stage I and Collected Stories at the Friedman Theatre will mark the ninth and tenth collaboration between Manhattan Theatre Club and Donald Magulies. The relationship began almost 25 years ago with the 'What�s Wrong With This Picture?' which played MTC�s original home at Stage 73 on the Upper East Side.

In addition to The Royal Family and Collected Stories at MTC�s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and Time Stands Still at MTC at New York City Center, in the coming weeks, MTC will announce one more production for the Friedman Theatre and two more productions for New York City Center � Stage I along with casting, creative team, and other listings information for all productions.