Crazy Mary, with Sigourney Weaver, Extends through 6/26

Playwrights Horizons has announced it will extend its sold out hit production of Crazy Mary, the World Premiere of a new play by A.R. Gurney (The Dining Room, The Perfect Party, Later Life and The Old Boy all at Playwrights Horizons, Love Letters, Sylvia, Mrs. Farnsworth).  Originally set to play a limited engagement through Sunday, June 17, the production will now extend through Tuesday, June 26 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street).    

Directed by Jim Simpson (Psych and Demonology at Playwrights Horizons, The Guys, Mrs. Farnsworth), the production began previews on May 11 and had its official opening on June 3.  

This is the only extension possible.  The unusual extension dates (starting on Saturday, June 23 and playing its final performance on Tuesday, June 26) reflects leading lady Sigourney Weaver working out time between film commitments to make additional performances possible.

The cast is headlined by Tony Award nominee and three-time Academy Award-nominee Weaver (Hurlyburly on Broadway; Gemini at Playwrights Horizons; Mrs. Farnsworth, The Mercy Seat and The Guys Off-Broadway; the films Aliens, Gorillas in the Mist and Working Girl).  Gurney, Simpson and Weaver all collaborated on Gurney's Mrs. Farnsworth at The Flea in 2004.  Appearing in the title role will be two-time Obie Award winner Kristine Nielsen (Miss Witherspoon and Betty's Summer Vacation, both at Playwrights Horizons; currently in Our Leading Lady at MTC). Joining Ms. Weaver and Ms. Nielsen are Michael Esper (Manic Flight Reaction at Playwrights Horizons, subUrbia at Second Stage), Mitchell Greenberg (Isn't It Romantic at Playwrights Horizons, Old Wicked Songs at The Promenade) and Myra Lucretia Taylor (Fabulation at Playwrights Horizons, Nine on Broadway).

In Crazy Mary, "in an attempt to account for the family inheritance, the scion of a wealthy Buffalo, NY clan (Ms. Weaver) and her willful, college-aged son (Mr. Esper) visit their long lost cousin Mary (Ms. Nielsen).  The catch:  Mary is living in an asylum for the wealthy insane and has barely spoken in years, forcing mother and son to employ radical ends to get through,"state press notes.

The production features scenic design by Tony Award winner John Lee Beatty, costume design by Claudia Brown, lighting design by Brian Aldous, sound design by Jill BC DuBoff, and original music by Michael Holland.  Production Stage Manager is Janet Takami.

The performance schedule is Tuesdays through Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays at 2:30 & 8PM and Sundays at 2:30 & 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $65.  Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning April 11 and may be purchased online via TicketCentral.com, by phone at (212) 279-4200 (Noon-8pm daily), or in person at the Ticket Central Box Office, 416 West 42nd Street (between 9th & 10th Avenues).  Visit www.playwrightshorizons.org for tickets and more information.

Photo of Sigourney Weaver by Ben Strothmann