MTC Extends THE COLUMNIST Through July 8

Manhattan Theatre Club announces the third and final extension for the world premiere of THE COLUMNIST, the new play by Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan. The acclaimed engagement extends at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) through Sunday, July 8, with a special holiday performance schedule (please see listings information below for exact performance schedule).

When it opened, critics called Auburn's play "powerful" (CBS News) and "gripping and compelling" (Newsday). John Lithgow's performance, for which he has received a 2012 Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Play, has been hailed as, "impossible to resist," (Wall Street Journal) and "superb" (Newsday), while Daniel Sullivan's direction was lauded as "superior" (The New Yorker), and the cast has been called "a first rate ensemble."

The limited engagement of THE COLUMNIST stars Tony and Emmy Award winner John Lithgow, Drama Desk Award nominee Margaret Colin, four-time Tony Award winner Boyd Gaines, Tony Award nominee Stephen Kunken, Marc Bonan (Broadway debut), Grace Gummer ("Smash," Arcadia), and Brian J. Smith (MTC's Come Back, Little Sheba; "Stargate Universe").

Columnists are kings in midcentury America and Joseph Alsop wears the crown. Joe is beloved, feared and courted in equal measure by the Washington political world at whose center he sits. But as the '60s dawn and America undergoes dizzying change, the intense political drama Joe is embroiled in becomes deeply personal as well.

David Auburn, whose Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning Proof dazzled audiences and critics alike, returns to MTC with this fascinating new work to be directed by his Proof collaborator Daniel Sullivan.

The creative team for THE COLUMNIST includes John Lee Beatty (scenic design), Jess Goldstein (costume design), Kenneth Posner (lighting design), John Gromada (original music & sound design), Rocco DiSanti (projection design), Charles G. LaPointe (hair & wig design), and David Caparelliotis (casting).

THE COLUMNIST was developed with the support of Tennessee Repertory Theatre through its Ingram New Works Fellowship and Residency.

Lead support for THE COLUMNIST is provided by MTC's Producing Fund Partner, Andrew Martin-Weber. Additional support is provided by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts. THE COLUMNIST is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award. Special thanks to The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting Manhattan Theatre Club.

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

Tickets for THE COLUMNIST are available by calling Telecharge at 212-239-6200, online by visiting www.Telecharge.com, or by visiting the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre Box Office (261 West 47th Street). Ticket prices are $67 – $121.