It has been announced that MTC's production of TO BE OR NOT TO BE will play its final performance on November 16th, 2008. November 16th, 2008 is the end of Manhattan Theater Club's subscription run. They had previously been offering tickets through November 23rd, 2008, but will now be canceling that week of performances. Patrons who have purchased tickets for performances through November 23rd, 2008 should return to their point of purchase for a refund.
The Manhattan Theatre Club (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) world premiere production of Nick Whitby's 'To Be or Not To Be' officially opened on Broadway on Tuesday October 14th.
The play, based on the 1942 motion picture of the same name is directed by three-time Tony Award nominee Casey Nicholaw ('The Drowsy Chaperone,' 'Monty Python's Spamalot').
The production features Peter Benson ('The Pajama Game'), Robert Dorfman ('The Drowsy Chaperone'), Steve Kazee ('Monty Python's Spamalot'), Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Jan Maxwell ('Coram Boy,' 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'), Peter Maloney ('Almost An Evening,' 'Dinner At Eight'), Michael McCarty ('Mary Poppins'), two-time Obie Award winner Kristine Nielsen ('Les Liaisons Dangereuses,' MTC's 'Our Leading Lady'), Brandon Perler (Broadway debut), David Rasche ('Burn After Reading,' MTC's 'Regret's Only') Rocco Sisto ('Iphigenia 2.0'), Jimmy Smagula ('Damn Yankees' at Encores!), and Marina Squerciati (MTC's 'Beauty of the Father').
'To Be or Not To Be' is the first production of Manhattan Theatre Club's 2008-2009 season. The limited engagement is playing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).
At the Polski Theatre in 1939 Warsaw, Josef (David Rasche) and Maria Tura (Jan Maxwell) are about to open yet another smash with their theatrical troupe. As the German invasion gets underway, the theatre is closed by the censors, forcing the troupe to face desperate times. But when a handsome young bomber pilot enlists their help to catch a spy, what is a group of actors to do? This hilarious black comedy is an ingenious commentary on the World War II era and an inspired tribute to the timeless joys of the theatre.
The creative team for 'To Be or Not To Be' includes: Anna Louizos (scenic design), Gregg Barnes (costume design), Howell Binkley (lighting design), Darron L West (sound design), Wendall and Zak (projection design), Josh Marquette (hair design), and David Caparelliotis (casting).
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, MTC has become one of the country's most prominent and prestigious theatre companies. MTC productions have earned a total of 16 Tony Awards and five Pulitzer Prizes, an accomplishment unparalleled by a New York theatrical institution. Renowned MTC productions include 'Top Girls'; 'From Up Here'; 'Come Back, Little Sheba'; 'The Receptionist'; 'LoveMusik'; 'Blackbird'; 'Translations'; 'Shining City'; 'Rabbit Hole'; 'Doubt'; 'Proof'; 'Kimberly Akimbo'; 'The Tale of the Allergist's Wife'; 'Love! Valour! Compassion!'; 'Sylvia'; 'Four Dogs and a Bone'; 'Putting It Together'; 'Lips Together, Teeth Apart'; 'Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune'; 'Crimes of the Heart'; and 'Ain't Misbehavin'.'
This season, MTC's Broadway stage was renamed the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). The landmarked theatre has been the institution's home on Broadway since 2003 and was rehabilitated by MTC following a two-year, $35 million capital campaign. In addition, MTC operates two theatres at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street), its Off-Broadway home since 1984.
Tickets range in price from $56.50-$96.50. Student rush tickets are available the day of the performance at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre box office for $26.50. Additionally, you can subscribe to MTC by calling (212) 399-3030, Monday - Thursday, noon - 6 PM and Friday, 10 AM - 2 PM, with a major credit card. Subscriptions are available online at www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.
'To Be or Not To Be' showtimes are as follows, Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM, and Sunday at 7 PM, with matinees on Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM.
