Penguin Rep Presents MRS. MANNERLY, 10/1-24

Penguin Rep Theatre closes its 33rd season with the New York premiere of MRS. MANNERLY, a comedy by Jeffrey Hatcher, October 1 through October 24 in Stony Point, New York. Directed by Penguin Rep artistic director Joe Brancato, MRS. MANNERLY stars Diane Ciesla and Mark Shanahan.

Good manners may have gone the way of the dinosaurs, but don't tell that to the title character of Mr. Hatcher's charming new comedy. Mrs. Mannerly is a demanding teacher with a mysterious past, and no student in her 36 years of classes has achieved a perfect score or uncovered the mystery. But it's 1967 and "the times they are a'changing". Young Jeffrey and his colorful classmates vie to be the first.

Diane Ciesla (Mrs. Mannerly)'s New York stage credits include GATES OF GOLD and DEATHVARIATIONS (59E59 Theatres), GREAT EXPECTATIONS (The Lucille Lortel), NO TIME FOR COMEDY (The Mint), La MaMa, Culture Project, Soho Rep, New Dramatists and others. Regionally, she has appeared at the Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, GeVa, McCarter and Chicago's Goodman Theatre.

Mark Shanahan (Jeffrey) returns to Penguin Rep having previously directed THE WOMAN IN BLACK and appearing in last season's WOMEN WHO STEAL. In New York, he was part of the original Broadway company of THE 39 STEPS, and appeared in AS BEES IN HONEY DROWN (Lucille Lortel Theatre), PHILADELPHIA, HERE I COME! (Roundabout Theatre), THE INTERNATIONALIST (45 Bleecker), DOWNWINDERS and MADAME KILLER (Soho Rep), and others. Regionally, he starred in TRYST under Joe Brancato's direction at the Alley Theatre andWestport Country Playhouse, as well as at the Kennedy Center, Hartford Theatreworks, Denver Center, Merrimack Rep, and Bay Street Theatre. He is also an award-winning voice-over artist, Edgar Award nominated playwright and co-storywriter of the screenplay, THE TROUBLESHOOTER (Universal).

Now in his 33rd year as Penguin's founding artistic director, Joe Brancato (director) 's credits include the Off Broadway productions of Charles Smith's FREED at 59 East 59 Street Theaters; TRYST; COBB (Drama Desk winner); FROM DOOR TO DOOR; ONE SHOT, ONE KILL; TWO AND A HALF JEWS; ESCAPE FROM HAPPINESS (starring Marsha Mason), and HOLD THE WEDDING, produced by Joseph Papp.

Playwright Jeffrey Hatcher is one of America's most produced playwrights. He wrote the book for the Broadway musical NEVER GONNA DANCE. Off Broadway, his plays THREE VIEWINGS and A PICASSO were seen at Manhattan Theatre Club, SCOTLAND ROAD and THE TURN OF THE SCREW at Primary Stages, and TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE (co-authored with Mitch Albom) at The Minetta Lane. His other plays include MURDERERS, MERCY OF A STORM, THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE and others at The Guthrie, Old Globe, Yale Rep, Seattle Rep, Cincinnati Playhouse, South Coast Rep, Denver Theatre Center, Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Alabama Shakespeare Festival and dozens more in the U.S. and abroad. He adapted his play COMPLEAT FEMALE STAGE BEAUTY for the film starring Claire Danes and Billy Crudup, and wrote the screenplay for CASANOVA starring Heath Ledger, as well as episodes of COLUMBO.

The production team for MRS. MANNERLY includes designers Robert Monaco (sets), Patricia E. Doherty (costumes), Christopher Weston (lights), and Colin Whitely (sound); stage manager Kristine Ayers, production manager Zachary Spitzer, and executive director Andrew M. Horn (producer).

Performances of MRS. MANNERLY are scheduled Thursdays and Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays (2 shows) at 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sunday matinees at 2:00 pm at Penguin Rep's intimate, 108-seat theatre located at 7 Crickettown Road in Stony Point (Rockland County), New York.

Tickets are $33 ($16.50 for young people 21 and younger) and can be purchased on-line at www.penguinrep.org or by phone at 845-786-2873. A limited number of discount tickets ($16.50) are available for a special weekday matinee performance on Friday, October 1 at 2:00 pm. The production is recommended for ages 12 and over. To order tickets or get more information, visit Penguin Rep's website at www.penguinrep.org or call 845-786-2873. Penguin Rep Theatre, Rockland County's first year-round, non-profit professional theatre, was founded in 1977 in a century-old hay barn converted to a theatre, by artistic director Joe Brancato and Fran Newman-McCarthy, Treasurer of the Board of Trustees.

The Equity theatre's 2010 season began with an extended run of Tom Dudzick's OVER THE TAVERN, followed by sold-out presentations of Steven Dietz's SHOOTING STAR and Mark Brown's adaptation of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. AUDIENCE ENHANCEMENT EVENTS Audience members are invited to enrich their theatre-going experience without any additional charge by participating in any of Penguin Rep Theatre's special events during the run of MRS. MANNERLY. Opening Reception: Join the cast and creative team after the 2:00 pm matinee performance on Sunday, October 3 for complimentary refreshments at the Stony Point Center, located just up the street from the theatre. Post-Show Discussion: Learn more about the play and production and share your thoughts with fellow audience members in a discussion with the cast and artistic director Joe Brancato following the show on Friday, October 8. Pre-Show Tasting: Enjoy a tasting from a local chef or restaurant