The Savannah Disputation at Playwrights Horizons

Playwrights Horizons begins 2009 with the New York premiere of The Savannah Disputation, a new play by Evan Smith. This will be Smith's fourth collaboration with the theater company.

Directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie (Chicago), in his Playwrights Horizons debut, the production will open at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater on 3 Mar 2009, following previews from 6 Feb, for a limited engagement running throughto 15 Mar 2009.

Tickets go on sale on 14 Jan 2009.

The Savannah Disputation: Resurrect this! When susceptible Catholic spinster Margaret (Marylouise Burke) politely admits door-to-door Pentecostal missionary Melissa (Kellie Overbey) into her home, her seemingly-solid faith starts to waver � much to the chagrin of her feisty sister Mary (Dana Ivey). But who's the blasphemer and who's the believer? Before long, the God-fearing sisters have ambushed their steadfast 'guest' with the aid of an unsuspecting local priest (Reed Birney), setting the scene for a smackdown of truly biblical proportions.

The cast will feature five-time Tony Award nominee and three-time Obie Award winner Dana Ivey, Obie Award winner Reed Birney, Marylouise Burke and Kellie Overbey.

The production will feature scenic design by Tony Award winner John Lee Beatty, costume design by two-time Tony Award nominee David C. Woolard, lighting design by Tony Award winner Kenneth Posner and sound design by Tony Meola.

Evan Smith (Playwright). 'The Savannah Disputation' marks Evan�s fourth work to be produced at Playwrights Horizons, following 'Remedial English' (1986, as part of the Young Playwrights Festival), 'The Uneasy Chair' (1998) and 'Psych' (2001). The Savannah Disputation premiered at the Writers Theater in Chicago in 2007. His other works include 'The Ecstasy of Lucy' (Home for Contemporary Theatre and Art at HERE) and 'Servicemen' (New York Stage and Film at Vassar, The New Group).

Walter Bobbie (Director) directed the Broadway revival of 'Chicago,' for which he won a Tony award. Other Broadway credits include 'White Christmas' (2008), 'High Fidelity' (2006), Sweet Charity' (2005 revival), 'Twentieth Century' (2004 revival), 'Footloose' (1998), for which he also co-authored the book and 'A Grand Night for Singing' (1993). Off-Broadway he most recently directed 'New Jerusalem' at CSC.

Reed Birney (Father Murphy) won a 2006 Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Performance. He made his New York debut at Playwrights Horizons in 1976 in 'Gemini' in which he also made his only Broadway appearance in 1977. He last appeared off-Broadway in Manhattan Theatre Club's production of 'Our Leading Lady.'

Marylouise Burke (Margaret) most recently appeared on Broadway as 'Madame Caron' in 'Is He Dead?' (2007) and also appeared in the revivals of 'Into the Woods' (2002) and 'Inherit the Wind' (1996). Off-Broadway she won the 2000 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Featured Actress for her role as 'Gertie' in 'Fuddy Meers' (MTC). She last appeared off-Broadway in 'The Oldest Profession.' On film she can be seen playing the role of 'Mrs. Deakins' in the recently released 'Doubt.'

Dana Ivey (Mary) appeared in the Playwrights Horizons' productions of 'Sunday in the Park with George' for which she received a Tony nomonation when the production played on Broadway (1984). Other Tony nominations include: 'Heartbreak House' (Lady Utterword: 1983 revival), 'The Last Night of Ballyhoo' (Boo Levy: 1997), 'The Rivals' (Mrs. Malaprop: 2004 revival) and 'Butley' (Edna Shaft: 2006 revival). She last appeared off-Broadway as 'Mrs. Warren' in the Irish Repertory's production of 'Mrs. Warren's Profession,' for she won an Obie Award.

Kellie Overbey (Melissa) last appeared at Playwrights Horizons in 'Betty�s Summer Vacation.' She last appeared off-Broadway in the Second Stage Theatre's production of 'Animals Out of Paper.' Her Broadway credits include 'The Coast of Utopia - Parts 1, 2 & 3' ( multiple: 2006, 2007) 'Twentieth Century' (Anita Highland: 2004 revival), 'Q.E.D.' (Miriam Field: 2001), 'Judgment at Nuremberg' (Thea: 2001), 'Present Laughter' (Daphne Stillington: 1996 revival) and Buried Child (Shelly: 1996).