The Public's Straight White Men extends to 14 Dec 2014

The off-Broadway non-profit Public Theater has announced a 1 week extension for its current production of Straight White Men, written and directed by Young Jean Lee, which began previews on 7 November 2014 and officially opened on 17 November. It will now play its final performance on 14 December 2014.

Young Jean Lee presents a traditionally structured take on the classic American father-son drama. It follows Ed and his three adult sons as they come together to celebrate Christmas. They enjoy cheerful trash-talking, pranks, and takeout Chinese, but soon they begin to confront a problem that even being a happy family can't solve: when identity matters, and privilege is problematic, what is the value of being a straight white man?

The complete cast of Straight White Men features Austin Pendleton (Ed), Pete Simpson (Drew), James Stanley (Matt), and Gary Wilmes (Jake).

The creative team for the production includes scenic design by David Evans Morris, lighting design by Christopher Kuhl, sound design by Chris Giarmo and costume design by Enver Chakartash.

Straight White Men was commissioned by the Wexner Center for the Arts at Ohio State University, Center Theatre Group (Los Angeles), Steirischer Herbst Festival (Graz), Les Spectacles Vivants - Centre Pompidou (Paris), Festival d'Automne à Paris, and The Public Theater (New York).

Young Jean Lee's plays, 'Church' and 'We're Gonna Die' have previously been staged at The Public Theater. Prior to 'Straight White Men', she has written and directed nine shows in New York with Young Jean Lee's Theater Company and toured her work to over 30 cities around the world.

- by Tom Millward