Esper, Taylor, Etc. Join Cast of Crazy Mary; Opens 6/3

Playwrights Horizons has announced complete details for the sixth and final production of its 2006/2007 season, the World Premiere of Crazy Mary, 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).

Directed by Jim Simpson (Psych and Demonology at Playwrights Horizons, The Guys, Mrs. Farnsworth), previews will begin Friday, May 11 with an official opening on Sunday, June 3 at 7PM.  Performances will continue through Sunday, June 17 at Playwrights Horizons' Mainstage Theater (416 West 42nd Street). 

As previously announced, the cast will be headlined by Tony Award nominee and three-time Academy Award nominee Sigourney 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).  Mr. Gurney, Mr. Simpson and Ms. Weaver all collaborated on Mr. 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 will be 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 Michael Esper by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.