MCC's 2014 MISCAST Gala to Honor Allison Janney; Set for 3/31

MCC Theater (Robert LuPone, Bernard Telsey and William Cantler, Artistic Directors; Blake West, Executive Director) just announced that this year's Miscast gala, an annual highlight of the New York theater season, will honor award-winning actress Allison Janney.

Ms. Janney will be celebrated for her daring, risk-taking spirit and for her extraordinary career on stage, in film, and on television, including memorable roles in the Oscar-winning films American Beauty, The Help, and Juno, among many others, and her unforgettable work on NBC's "The West Wing" and new hit CBS sitcom "Mom." Her history with MCC Theater dates back two decades, including a main stage appearance in Alan Ball's Five Women Wearing the Same Dress in 1993, Annie Evans' I Can't Stop Thinking Today, and MCC's early play marathons. Miscast 2014 will be held Monday, March 31, 2014 at The Hammerstein Ballroom (311 West 34th Street).

In a statement, Bernard Telsey, MCC Theater's Co-Artistic Director, said: "Allison's remarkable achievements on stage, in film, and on television have made her one of our most beloved and respected actors. Allison is truly one-of-a-kind; everyone wants to work with her, everyone wants her involved with their projects. MCC Theater is so thrilled to celebrate her - and have her back with us once again - during one of our premier events."

MCC Theater's annual Miscast gala is one of the most exciting and unique theater events in town. Broadway's hottest stars perform songs from roles in which they would never be cast. An all-star lineup of performers will be announced at a later date.

With multiple Tony and Golden Globe nominations, an Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk Award, 6 Screen Actors Guild Awards, and 4 Emmys, Ms. Janney is no stranger to being honored for her work. She currently stars in the new CBS/Chuck Lorre sitcom, "Mom," opposite Anna Faris. She also appears in a multi-episode arc on the groundbreaking Showtime drama "Masters of Sex." Her feature, The Way, Way Back with Steve Carell and Toni Collette, is currently in theaters. In addition, Janney has a number of films due for release, including Lynn Shelton's Touchy Feely, the Untitled Christian Camargo project with William Hurt and Jean Reno, the Untitled Marc Lawrence/Castle Rock project with Hugh Grant, Trust Me for director/actor Clark Gregg, and Jason Bateman's comedy Bad Words. Her other film credits include: The Help; Juno; Hairspray; Life During Wartime; Sam Mendes' Away We Go; The Hours opposite Meryl Streep; Academy Award winner American Beauty; and voicework in Finding Nemo. On television, Allison won four Emmy Awards for her performance as CJ Cregg on Aaron Sorkin's "The West Wing." On stage, she made her Broadway debut in Noel Coward's Present Laughter. She also appeared in Arthur Miller's A View from the Bridge, receiving her first Tony Award nomination, and was last seen on Broadway in the musical 9 to 5, for which she earned a Tony Award nomination and won the Drama Desk Award.

Proceeds from Miscast 2014 will, as always, support MCC Theater's mission to develop and produce exciting work Off-Broadway, as well as its Youth Company and partnerships with New York City public high schools, and MCC's literary development work with emerging playwrights.

For ticket and table purchasing options, visit www.mcctheater.org/galamiscast_tickets.html. To purchase gala tickets, please contact Kathryn Banas at (212) 727-7722, ext. 232 or via email at kbanas@mcctheater.org. Gala tickets begin at $600, with mezzanine level show-only tickets available for purchase beginning on January 28th via OvationTix.