THE PITMEN PAINTERS Opens at MTC, 9/30

Manhattan Theatre Club's (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director; Barry Grove, Executive Producer) American premiere of Tony Award winner Lee Hall's THE PITMEN PAINTERS opens today, Thursday, September 30 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). The play began previews on Tuesday, September 14.

Manhattan Theatre Club, by special arrangement with Bob Boyett, produces the Live Theatre, Newcastle/National Theatre of Great Britain's co-production of THE PITMEN PAINTERS on Broadway.

The cast, who have been with the production since it premiered at Live Theatre in 2007, includes: Christopher Connel, Michael Hodgson, Ian Kelly, Brian Lonsdale, Lisa McGrillis, Deka Walmsley, David Whitaker and Phillippa Wilson. Max Roberts directs.

Inspired by a book by William Feaver, and hailed by London critics as "a glorious instant classic" (Evening Standard), "a wonderful piece of theatre" (Financial Times) "a beautiful work of art that everybody should see" (The Times of London), and "a superb piece of work; warm, funny, sad, and thought-provoking" (The Daily Telegraph), the play tells the story of the Ashington Group - miners from Northumberland who became celebrated painters. THE PITMEN PAINTERS was named Best Play at the 2008 Evening Standard Awards.

Direct from a sold-out engagement at London's National Theatre, this funny and fascinating new play by Tony Award winner Lee Hall (writer of Broadway's mega-hit Billy Elliot) comes to Broadway with its entire original London cast intact. THE PITMEN PAINTERS is based on the triumphant true story of a group of British miners who discover a new way to express themselves and unexpectedly become art-world sensations! An arresting and hilarious salute to the power of individual expression and the collective spirit, THE PITMEN PAINTERS takes you on an unforgettable journey from the depths of the mine to the heights of fame.
THE PITMEN PAINTERS features scenic and costume design by Gary McCann, lighting design by Douglas Kuhrt, and sound design by Martin Hodgson.

The cast of THE PITMEN PAINTERS is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association. The producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association for its assistance of this production.

Tickets are available by calling Telecharge at 212-239-6200, online by visiting http://www.telecharge.com/, or by visiting the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre Box Office (261 West 47th Street). Ticket prices are $57 - $116.

For more information on MTC, please visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE PITMEN PAINTERS:
Please note THE PITMEN PAINTERS is dark on Mondays:

* THROUGH SUNDAY, OCTOBER 3: Tuesday at 7PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8PM, Sunday at 7PM. Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2PM.
* MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 21: Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM.
* MONDAY, NOVEMBER 22 - SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 28 (THANKSGIVING WEEK): Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 PM. Tuesday at 7 PM. Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM. Dark on Thursday.
* MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29 - SUNDAY, DECEMBER 12: Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM.

Manhattan Theatre Club's 2010-2011 Broadway season at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre will feature the American premiere of Lee Hall's THE PITMEN PAINTERS, inspired by a book by William Feaver, and the world premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire's GOOD PEOPLE. The Off-Broadway season will include the world premiere of Beau Willimon's SPIRIT CONTROL, the New York premiere of Matthew Lopez's THE WHIPPING MAN, and the world premiere of Alfred Uhry's CARL'S SISTER, based on the book Apples and Oranges by Marie Brenner. A third Broadway production 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 17 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 47th Street) and an Off-Broadway theatre at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). Renowned MTC productions include 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; and Ain't Misbehavin.'