F. Murray Abraham Joins Cast of MTC's GOLDEN AGE

Manhattan Theatre Club announces that Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham will join the cast of Golden Age, the new play by four-time Tony Award winner Terrence McNally, directed by Tony Award winner Walter Bobbie. Golden Age will begin previews Thursday, November 15 and open Tuesday, December 4 at MTC at New York City Center – Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

Abraham replaces the previously announced Richard Easton in the role of renowned Italian composer Rossini. Easton is withdrawing from the production for personal reasons.

Abraham returns to Manhattan Theatre Club after appearing in the hit Broadway play Mauritius. His many theatrical credits include his acclaimed turn in the repertory productions of The Merchant of Venice and The Jew of Malta. He won the 1985 Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance as classical composer Salieri in Amadeus.

In addition to Abraham, Golden Age also stars Dierdre Friel, Coco Monroe, two-time Emmy and two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth, Emmy Award nominee Lee Pace, Ethan Phillips, Lorenzo Pisoni, Will Rogers, and Eddie Kaye Thomas.

Its opening night of Vincenzo Bellini's (Emmy Award nominee Lee Pace) new opera I Puritani in Paris, and the Italian composer is determined to win the adulation of not only his audience, but his colleagues and rivals as well. When the curtain falls, will a thunderous ovation cement his prominence? Or has Bellini unwittingly composed his own swan song?

Blending 21st century language with the timeless beauty of 19th century bel canto opera, Terrence McNally's new play portrays the final act of an artist whose desire for greatness has eclipsed all else.

The creative team for Golden Age includes Santo Loquasto (scenic design), Jane Greenwood (costume design), Peter Kaczorowski (lighting design), Ryan Rumery (sound design), and Tom Watson (hair & wig design).

Lead support for Golden Age is provided by MTC's Producing Fund Partner, Andrew Martin-Weber.

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. Over the past three decades, MTC productions have earned a total of 18 Tony Awards and six Pulitzer Prizes, an accomplishment unparalleled by a New York theatrical institution. MTC has a Broadway home at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) and two Off-Broadway theatres at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street). Since January 2011, Mandy Greenfield (Artistic Producer) has taken the lead in programming and execution at MTC's Off-Broadway home. Renowned MTC productions include Venus in Fur; Master Class; Good People; The Whipping Man; Time Stands Still; The Royal Family; Ruined; The American Plan; Come Back, Little Sheba; Blackbird; Translations; Shining City; Rabbit Hole; Doubt; Proof; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; Love! Valour! Compassion!; A Small Family Business; Sylvia; Putting It Together; Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune; Crimes of the Heart; and Ain't Misbehavin.'

For more information on MTC, please visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.