BERNHARD & IMPERIOLI join the cast of MCC's ESCAPE

MCC THEATER will present "ESCAPE: 6 WAYS TO GET AWAY," a star-studded benefit reading of new, one-act plays written by some of the leading voices in American theater today: Jon Robin Baitz (Ten Unknowns), John Guare (Six Degrees of Separation), Peter Hedges (What's Eating Gilbert Grape), Neil LaBute (Fat Pig), Tim Blake Nelson (The Grey Zone) and Wendy Wasserstein (The Heidi Chronicles). "ESCAPE" will be held on Monday, January 31, 7:30pm at Broadway's CIRCLE IN THE SQUARE THEATER (1633 Broadway at West 50th Street, NYC). Tickets for "ESCAPE" are $125 for single tickets, and $200 for priority seating and private champagne reception with cast and creative team. Tickets are available by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200.

"ESCAPE" will feature actress-author-comedienne Sandra Bernhard as 'Miss Kitty Katz' in an excerpt from Miami, book by Wendy Wasserstein, and Michael Imperioli ("The Sopranos") in and the will becomes again a garden by Tim Blake Nelson.

BERNHARD AND IMPERIOLI join the previously announced ensemble celebrity cast* (in alphabetical order): Josh Lucas (Film: An Unfinished Life, Sweet Home Alabama, Secondhand Lions; Broadway: forthcoming revival of The Glass Menagerie); Audra McDonald (4-time Tony Award-winner: A Raisin in the Sun, Ragtime, Master Class, Carousel); Julianna Margulies (Emmy Award-winner, "ER." Other TV: "Scrubs," TNT's "The Grid." Theater: Ten Unknowns, MCC's Intrigue With Faye); Amanda Peet (Film: Syriana, Something's Gotta Give, The Whole Nine Yards. Theater: Autobahn for MCC) and Mary-Louise Parker (2-time Tony Award-winner: Proof, Prelude to a Kiss. Other Broadway: Reckless. Emmy Award-winner, "Angels in America.").

*NOTE: ADDITIONAL CELEBRITY CASTING TO BE ANNOUNCED.

The benefit staged reading under the umbrella title "ESCAPE" will be directed by: Erica Gould (A Brave New World; The Witches' Triptych), Peter Hedges, Doug Hughes (Tony-nominee, Frozen; Doubt) and John Rando (Tony-winner, Urinetown; The Dinner Party).

"ESCAPE" is a collection of six new one-acts, based on the individual playwright's interpretation of this theme. Plays include:

My Beautiful Goddamn City by Jon Robin Baitz, directed by John Rando: As the presidential election nears, two sisters debate the future of the country; one sister contemplates fleeing rather than facing the next four years.

Madagascar by John Guare, directed by Doug Hughes: The heir to a prominent American family just might get everything his family wants. Or, everything his wife wants. Or, is it everything he wants? A darkly funny he said, she said fantasia. Who is to be believed?

A New Kind of George, written and directed by Peter Hedges: Two soccer moms anxiously await the arrival of a new kind of favored son.

Stand-Up by Neil LaBute, directed by Erica Gould: a would-be comic takes the stage for the first time.

and the will becomes again a garden by Tim Blake Nelson, directed by Doug Hughes: An estranged family gathers to address its dying father. A tiny glimpse into the complex freedom of letting go.

An excerpt from Miami, book by Wendy Wasserstein, music by Jack Feldman, lyrics by Bruce Sussman and Jack Feldman, directed by John Rando: In 1959, hundreds of New York snowbirds flock to Miami Beach; one of the annual highlights is catching Miss Kitty Katz's world famous lounge act.

PRODUCTION TEAM
Casting by Bernard Telsey Casting. Sound Design by Jill BC Du Boff. Production Manager is B.D. White.

TICKET INFORMATION
Tickets for "ESCAPE" are $125 for single tickets, and $200 for priority seating and private champagne reception with cast and creative team. Tickets are available by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200 or online at (www.ticketcentral.com ). The evening's proceeds will benefit MCC Theater and its literary and education and outreach programs.

"ESCAPE: 6 WAYS TO GET AWAY"
A BENEFIT EVENING OF ONE-ACT PLAYS

WHAT:
"ESCAPE: 6 WAYS TO GET AWAY"
A STAGED-READING BENEFIT EVENING OF ONE-ACT PLAYS
Presented by MCC THEATER

WHO
Featuring new works by:
Jon Robin Baitz, John Guare, Peter Hedges,
Neil LaBute, Tim Blake Nelson and Wendy Wasserstein

Starring: Sandra Bernhard, Michael Imperioli, Josh Lucas, Audra McDonald, Julianna Margulies, Amanda Peet and Mary-Louise Parker *EDITOR NOTE: Additional Celebrity Casting to be announced

Directed By: Erica Gould, Peter Hedges, Doug Hughes and John Rando

WHERE
Broadway's Circle in the Square Theater
1633 Broadway at West 50th Street, NYC

WHEN
Monday, January 31 at 7:30pm

WHY
A BENEFIT for MCC THEATER, one of New York City's leading Off-Broadway theater companies.

The evening's proceeds will benefit MCC and its literary and education and outreach programs.

For more information and a complete MCC production history, visit online at www.MCCTheater.org

TICKETS
Tickets for "ESCAPE" are $125 for single tickets, and $200 for priority seating and private champagne reception with cast and creative team.

Tickets are available by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, or online at (www.ticketcentral.com).