THE MAN OF THE HOUR Begins Tonight at Metropolitan Playhouse

Trusted sons of wealthy families who ascend to high office to do their party's bidding? Crooked backroom deals that ignore the will or needs of the people? Well-placed one-percenters who avoid punishment no matter the crime? These are not merely well-trodden news angles ripped from the latest headlines. They're among the central themes of The Man of the Hour, a 1906 play inspired by Tammany Hall, which begins performances tonight, February 20, 2015 at Metropolitan Playhouse.

Written by George H. Broadhurst, the namesake of Broadway's Broadhurst Theater, The Man of the Hour focuses on the political bosses of an American Great City who are ready to put careless playboy Alwyn Bennett into the mayor's mansion - provided he'll do their bidding in office. Bennett wins the people's mandate with surprising ease, but when a crooked bill lands on his desk, his choice to sign or veto is not just between cronies and constituency, but between his political fortunes and his family's reputation, and in the balance lies the faith of the woman he loves. Love and politics collide in The Man of the Hour, a searing and soaring tale of intrigue, ambition and the race to the top.

"This was the biggest Broadway play of all time, in its time," said Alex Roe, Artistic Director of Metropolitan Playhouse. "It set a record with 479 performances and was the clear hit of the Broadway season. We know of no New York revivals since the original run, making this production truly an event."

The Man of the Hour is directed by Leonard Peters. Set design is by Carrie Mossman. Lighting design is by Christopher Weston. Costume design is by Sidney Fortner. Byron F. Abens is the production stage manager. Research by Gladys Fox. John Capo Public Relations is the publicist.

The cast of The Man of the Hour features Victor Barranca, Jon Kakaley, Kelly King, Kathleen Littlefield, Eric Loscheider, Taylor D. Martin, Tom Paolino, Jed Peterson, John Rengstorff, Matthew Sanders, Ashley Springer, Bill Tatum, Susan Wands and Dared Wright.

Performances of The Man of the Hour will be held from February 20 through March 22.

Metropolitan Playhouse explores America's theatrical heritage to illuminate contemporary American culture. The Playhouse produces early American plays, new plays drawn from American culture and history, and plays from around the world that resonate with the American canon. This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council. This production is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York state Legislature.

To purchase tickets, visit www.metropolitanplayhouse.org/tickets or call 1 (800) 838-3006.