MTC Hosts After Words Talk-Back Series with 'Mauritius'

Manhattan Theatre Club announces the second season of "After Words," the popular discussion series at the Biltmore Theatre (261 West 47th Street).  The series continues on October 6 following the performance of Mauritius with Mercer Bristow, administrator of the American Philatelic Expertising Service (APEX); actor Dylan Baker; and Lisa McNulty, MTC's Associate Director of Artistic Operations.

Mercer Bristow has administered the American Philatelic Expertizing Service (APEX) for over 25 years.  APEX is the authentication department of the American Philatelic Society, founded in 1886 with headquarters in State College, Pennsylvania.  He served on the Expert Team for the F.I.P. sponsored international philatelic expositions in New Delhi, India (1997) and in Washington D.C. (2006) and has been a guest speaker at regional stamp shows around the country.  He is also curator of the APS philatelic collections (both genuine and forged material) which he established in 1992. 

"After Words" is part of MTC's continuing effort to deepen and enrich the play-going experience for its audiences. Held after selected Saturday matinees at the Biltmore Theatre, this exciting series of talks with writers, cultural critics, journalists, and members of the Mauritius cast and creative team provides provocative and illuminating insights into the political, cultural, and artistic contexts of the work MTC produces at the Biltmore Theatre.

The next edition of "After Words": MAURITIUS will be held on October 13 and will be hosted by Marilynn Gelfmann Karp, NYU Professor and noted scholar in the subject of collecting; a member from the production to be announced; and Lisa McNulty, MTC's Associate Director of Artistic Operations.

Marilynn Gelfmann Karp is a Professor of Art in the Department of Art and Art Professions in the Steinhardt School at New York University.  She is a trustee and board member of the Public Art Fund, the Anonymous Arts Recovery Society and the Preservation League of New York State.  Karp is an actively exhibiting sculptor of international achievement whose mixed medium, found object works are represented in collections nationally and abroad.  As an avid observer of material culture, her collections suggest that the impetus to acquire, organize and integrate is proof that the hunter-gatherer instinct is alive and well.  She has given interviews, presented papers, and participated in panel discussions at museums and universities on various topics within the purview of collecting.

Future editions of "After Words": Mauritius will be announced in upcoming weeks. For more information visit: www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

Mauritius is a gripping new play from the acclaimed author of such hits as The Scene, Bad Dates and Omnium Gatherum, for which Rebeck and her co-author were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

"Jackie (Alison Pill) and Mary (Katie Finneran) are half-sisters whose mother's death leaves them in possession of a rare stamp collection. But which sister actually owns the stamps? Which of three men (F. Murray Abraham, Dylan Baker, and Bobby Cannavale) can be trusted with their sale? Tightly woven and ever-surprising, this sinister comedy marks Theresa Rebeck's Broadway debut," explain press notes.

Directed by Tony Awardâ winner Doug Hughes (Doubt, Inherit The Wind), the production stars Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham (Sterling), Tony Award nominee Dylan Baker (Philip), Emmy Award winner Bobby Cannavale (Dennis), Tony Award winner Katie Finneran (Mary), and Tony Award nominee Alison Pill (Jackie).

The creative team for Mauritius includes: John Lee Beatty (Scenic Design), Catherine Zuber (Costume Design), Paul Gallo (Lighting Design), David Van Tieghem (Original Music and Sound Design), Rick Sordelet (Fight Director), and David Caparelliotis (Casting Director).

Tickets to Mauritius are available by calling Telecharge.com at (212) 239-6200, (800) 432-7250 outside the NY metro area, online at Telecharge.com, and at the Biltmore Theatre box office (261 West 47th Street, between Broadway and 8th Avenue). Tickets range in price from $46.50-91.50.  Student rush tickets are available the day of the performance at the Biltmore Theatre box office for $26.50.

Performances are: Tuesday through Saturday at 8 PM, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM. www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com