Primary Stages to Present New Athol Fugard Play

Primary Stages has announced a change in their scheduled season finale: the New York premiere of Exits and Entrances by Athol Fugard replaces the previously announced Deuce by Terrence McNally.

With direction by Stephen Sachs, the two-member cast features Morlan Higgins as André and William Dennis Hurley as The Playwright. Performances begin Tuesday evening, March 20, 2007 for a limited engagement through Saturday evening, April 28, 2007, by Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Opening night is set for Wednesday evening, March 28, 2007

According to production notes, "Exits and Entrances is an autobiographical two-character play that chronicles the friendship between a young idealistic playwright and an older actor struggling unhappily to find meaning and dignity in his fading career. Set in Port Elizabeth, South Africa in 1956 and 1961, the play is based on Fugard's relationship with stage actor André Huguenet, who was known at one time as the Olivier of South Africa."

In describing his relationship with Huguenet, Fugard said, "He helped me define what my sense of theater was going to be about." He went on to add, "As the play points out, he was part of a fading tradition of actors who performed in West End comedies and classics in South Africa."

Primary Stages continues the 2006-2007 season with the New York premiere of the new musical Adrift in Macao, with book and lyrics by Christopher Durang, music by Peter Melnick, choreography by Christopher Gattelli and direction by Sheryl Kaller. Performances begin January 23, 2007 for a limited engagement through March 4, 2007.

Exits and Entrances will play the following performance schedule: Tuesdays at 7PM, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8PM, with matinees Saturdays at 2PM. Additionally, there are Sunday matinees scheduled for March 25, April 1 and April 8 at 3PM, and a Wednesday matinee on April 11 at 2PM. In place of the Wednesday matinees on April 18 & 25, Primary Stages is presenting 1pm shows of Exits and Entrances to student groups at no charge, under the auspices of the Primary Stages NYC Public School Student Matinee program. Additionally, following the public performances on April 10 and April 19, there are special "Artist/Audience Talkbacks" for the attendees of the performances on those evenings. Single tickets for Exits and Entrances go on sale Monday, February 12.

Priced at $60 each, they may be purchased by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, online at www.ticketcentral.com, or in person at the 59E59 Theaters Box Office. Group Tickets (15+) are $47.50 each, and are available by calling (212) 840-9705. For further information about Primary Stages, please visit the website at www.primarystages.com, or call (212) 840-9705.