The Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) will conclude its 24th season with the world premiere of Stopping Traffic, a new play written and performed by Mary Pat Gleason and directed by Lonny Price. Previews begin May 24, prior to its official press opening June 7, it has been announced by Vineyard Theatre Artistic Director Douglas Aibel.
Stopping Traffic "is one woman's comic odyssey: Mary Pat Gleason, an actress who has performed countless roles in film, television and theater, candidly relives this true-story about her life-long experiences with bipolar disorder. The play is an audacious high-wire act that takes theatergoers on a tour of Hollywood, New York and the human heart," according to press notes.
Gleason most recently appeared onscreen in the film
The Island. Other film credits include T
he Crucible, Soap Dish, Basic Instinct, Lorenzo's Oil, 13 Going on 30 and
A Cinderella Story. She has also appeared in guest spots on numerous television series including "Desperate Housewives," "Will & Grace," "Sex and the City" and "Malcolm in the Middle."
As a director,
Lonny Price has directed Broadway's "
MASTER HAROLD"..and the boys, Sally Marr and Her Escorts (which he also wrote), and
Urban Cowboy, among other credits. He co-wrote, directed and co-starred in the Tony Award-nominated Ed Kleban musical
A Class Act in 2001. As an actor, his credits include
Merrily We Roll Along, Rags, "MASTER HAROLD"...and the boys, Burn This and the film
Dirty Dancing.
Stopping Traffic features set design by
Neil Patel; costume design by Tracy Christensen; lighting design by
David Weiner; and sound design by
Obadiah Eaves.
The show will follow the Off-Broadway premiere of Jeff Bowen and Hunter Bell's hit musical
[title of show] which, after its third and final extension, concludes April 30.
Performances of
Stopping Traffic run through June 25; Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8pm; Sundays at 5pm. Tickets are $50. For reservations, call the box office at 212-353-0303 or log onto
www.vineyardtheatre.org.
