Lincoln Center Theater Launches Playwriting Contest in Conjunction with ACT ONE

In honor of playwright Moss Hart, Lincoln Center Theater offers a "once in a lifetime" playwriting contest in conjunction with its Tony nominated play, Act One. Act One, a play written and directed by James Lapine, from the autobiography by Moss Hart, is currently playing at the Vivian Beaumont Theater (150 West 65th Street).

Moss Hart's passion for the stage took him from the slums of the Bronx to the heart of the Great White Way. His autobiography, Act One, is the ultimate showbiz story, and now it's a critically acclaimed play. Lincoln Center Theater is offering new playwrights a chance to have their own Moss Hart moment. One talented writer will have his or her script read by Producing Artistic Director Andre Bishop, and will receive an evaluation of their work. The winner will also receive a pair of tickets to see Act One at the Vivian Beaumont Theater and a copy of the Moss Hart memoir.

Playwrights wishing to enter should send a one-paragraph synopsis of their play (no longer than 200 words), along with a one-page dialogue sample by May 16, 2014 to ActOneContest@lct.org. The winning playwright will be announced on May 30, after which they will be invited to submit the complete play for Mr. Bishop to read.

ACT ONE, James Lapine's new play from the classic autobiography by Moss Hart, deemed one of the finest books about 20th-century American theater, eloquently chronicles the playwright/director's impoverished childhood and his determined struggle to escape poverty and forge a career in the theater. A path which led to his collaboration with George S. Kaufman and their first great success, Once In a Lifetime. The company of twenty-two actors plays roles with Tony Shalhoub, Santino Fontana and Matthew Schechter playing Moss Hart at different stages of his life.

The cast features Bob Ari, Bill Army, Will Brill, Laurel Casillo, Chuck Cooper, Santino Fontana, Steven Kaplan, Will LeBow, Mimi Lieber, Charlotte Maier, Noah Marlowe, Andrea Martin, Greg McFadden, Deborah Offner, Lance Roberts, Matthew Saldivar, Matthew Schechter, Tony Shalhoub, Jonathan Spivey, Wendy Rich Stetson, Bob Stillman and Amy Warren.

ACT ONE has sets by Beowulf Boritt, costumes by Jane Greenwood, lighting by Ken Billington, sound by Dan Moses Schreier, and original music by Louis Rosen. Original Music performed live by Bob Stillman, Principal Pianist; Steven Kaplan, Second Pianist; and Bill Army, Additional Pianist.

ACT ONE is performed Tuesday evenings at 7pm and Wednesday through Saturday evenings at 8pm, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2pm and Sunday at 3pm.

Tickets, priced from $77 to $137 are available at the Lincoln Center Theater box office, at telecharge.com or by visiting www.lct.org. A limited number of tickets priced at $32 are available at every performance through LincTix, LCT's program for 21 to 35 year olds. For information and to enroll, visit LincTix.org.

Photo by Joan Marcus