MTC to Stage World Premiere of Harvey Fierstein's New Play CASA VALENTINA in April 2014; Joe Mantello to Direct

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer), have announced that Manhattan Theatre Club, by special arrangement with Colin Callender, Robert Cole, Frederick Zollo and The Shubert Organization, will produce the world premiere of Casa Valentina, the play by four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein, directed by two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello.

The limited engagement of Casa Valentina will begin previews on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 and open Wednesday, April 23, 2014 on Broadway at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

From four-time Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots, Newsies, La Cage aux Folles) comes Casa Valentina, his first play in almost thirty years and his first-ever collaboration with Manhattan Theatre Club. Two-time Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (Take Me Out, Wicked) directs this funny, fascinating world premiere based on actual events.

Back in 1962, most men went to the Catskill Mountains to escape the summer heat, but others took the two-hour drive to escape something else entirely: being men. Nestled in the land of dirty dancing and borscht belt comedy sat an inconspicuous bungalow colony that catered to a very special clientele: heterosexual men whose favorite pastime was dressing and acting as women. It was paradise for these men-white-collar professionals with families-to spend their weekends discreetly and safely inhabiting their chosen female alter egos. But when faced with the opportunity to become an official organization, these "self-made women" had to decide whether public recognition would help them gain a place in open society or spell their own personal disaster.

Infused with Fierstein's trademark wit, this moving, insightful and delightfully entertaining new work offers a glimpse into the lives of a group of unforgettable characters as they search for acceptance and happiness in their very own Garden of Eden.

Casting, creative team, and additional listings information for Casa Valentina will be announced in the coming weeks.

CASA VALENTINA is presented as part of MTC's 2013-2014 season, joining the previously announced world premiere productions of THE SNOW GEESE by Sharr White, directed by Daniel Sullivan with Mary-Louise Parker, Danny Burstein, Victoria Clark, Evan Jonigkeit, Brian Cross, Christopher Innvar and Jessica Love;OUTSIDE MULLINGAR by John Patrick Shanley, directed by Doug Hughes with Brían F. O'Byrne and Debra Messing; THE COMMONS OF PENSACOLA by Amanda Peet, directed by Lynne Meadow, with Blythe Danner, Zoe Levin, Ali Marsh, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael Stahl-David and Nilaja Sun; TALES FROM RED VIENNA by David Grimm, directed by Kate Whoriskey; WHEN WE WERE YOUNG AND UNAFRAID bySarah Treem, directed by Pam MacKinnon with Cherry Jones; and TAKING CARE OF BABY by Dennis Kelly, directed by Erica Schmidt with Reed Birney, Kristen Bush, Amelia Campbell and Margaret Colin. A final production for the 2013-2014 season to play Summer 2014 at The Studio at Stage II will be announced in the coming weeks.

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 19 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 47thStreet) and two Off-Broadway theatres at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street). Renowned MTC productions include The Assembled Parties; 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; andAin't Misbehavin.'

Subscriptions for MTC's 2013-2014 season are available by calling (212) 399-3050 (Monday through Friday NOON - 10 PM, Saturday 3-6:30 PM) or online at www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com. Single tickets to Casa Valentina will go on sale Monday, September 23rd.