THE ROYAL FAMILY, Premiere of Margulies' TIME STANDS STILL, COLLECTED STORIES Part of MTC 2009-10 Season

Lynne Meadow (Artistic Director) and Barry Grove (Executive Producer) have announced three of the productions for Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming 2009-2010 theatrical season, including two of the three productions at MTC's Broadway theatre, the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) (THE ROYAL FAMILY, COLLECTED STORIES) and the first of the three shows planned for MTC's Off-Broadway theatre at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street) (TIME STANDS STILL).

Lynne Meadow happily remarked, "I am excited about the upcoming shows and the return of some of MTC's most beloved artists. I look forward to a repertoire that will provide laughter, food for thought and some plain old escape."

Barry Grove said, "We are proud that our most recent shows were so well-received by our audiences and critics alike, and that AMERICAN PLAN, RUINED and HUMOR ABUSE all extended their runs which has brought new audiences to MTC's theatres."

Together they stated, "Next season, MTC will produce six productions instead of seven. In response to the current economic climate, we are carefully managing our resources. We will do three plays at our 650 seat Friedman Theatre and will consolidate our work at City Center to three plays on our 300 seat Stage I. Our 150 seat Stage II will be made available to other theatre companies to present their work. In addition to our six shows for 2009-2010, our work will include our ‘7@7' reading series and our new play commissioning program. In addition, we will continue our extensive education outreach program in the public schools."

MTC's upcoming season will include a thrilling roster of artists bringing an exciting mixture of modern classics, acclaimed contemporary works, and exciting new plays to audiences.

MTC'S Samuel J. Friedman THEATRE
The Royal Family
Written by George S. Kaufman & Edna Ferber
Directed by Doug Hughes

Previews begin: Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Opening Night: Thursday, October 8, 2009

It's half past one in the fabulously cluttered Cavendish duplex in the East Fifties, and anyone who's anyone is still asleep. So begins THE ROYAL FAMILY, the classic comedy of theatrical manners, written by two of the theatre's greatest writers, George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber, whose other storied collaborations include Dinner at Eight and Stage Door. This devilishly funny play follows the Cavendishes, the famous family of stage stars, as they go about the drama of the day: choosing scripts, dashing off to a performance, and stealing kisses with handsome beaus. But what's this business about the younger Miss Cavendish wanting to quit the stage for domestic bliss? Never, darling! This delicious comedy will be directed by Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Doubt). And the fantastic cast includes Tony winner John Glover as ‘Herbert Dean,' Tony Award winner and Oscar nominee Rosemary Harris as ‘Fanny Cavendish,' Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award winner Jan Maxwell as ‘Julie Cavendish, and Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award nominee Reg Rogers as ‘Tony Cavendish'

This will Mark Harris' second time appearing in THE ROYAL FAMILY on Broadway. In the acclaimed 1976 production, she played the role of ‘Julie Cavendish,' the role that will be played by Jan Maxwell in the upcoming Broadway production.

MTC'S Samuel J. Friedman THEATRE
Collected Stories
Written by Donald Margulies
Directed by Lynne Meadow

Previews begin: Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Opening Night: Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Tony Award winner Linda Lavin and director Lynne Meadow, who collaborated on MTC's The Tale of the Allergist's Wife, reunite for a new production of Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies' celebrated drama. COLLECTED STORIES chronicles the relationship between two female writers: Ruth Steiner (Lavin), a celebrated New York author with a dry wit and a distinguished career; and her bright-eyed young protégé, Lisa Morrison. As their relationship evolves and the line between fact and fiction starts to blur, their fascinating story comes to an explosive conclusion.

MTC AT NEW YORK CITY CENTER - STAGE I
Time Stands Still
Written by Donald Margulies
Directed by Daniel Sullivan

Previews begin: Thursday, October 15, 2009
Opening Night: Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Are we supposed to deny ourselves ordinary happiness because there's misery in the world? This is one of many questions Pulitzer Prize winner Donald Margulies poses in his intelligent and timely new play. James and Sarah, a journalist and a photographer, have been together for nine years and share a passion for documenting the realities of war. But when injuries force them to return home to New York, the adventurous couple confronts the prospect of a more conventional life. TIME STANDS STILL is a blazingly important new work about responsibility - to ourselves, to our loved ones, to our community, and to our world. This new production of TIME STANDS STILL marks the fourth collaboration for Margulies and Tony winning director Daniel Sullivan (Sight Unseen on Broadway, Brooklyn Boy, Dinner with Friends).

The upcoming productions of TIME STANDS STILL at Stage I and COLLECTED STORIES at the Friedman will mark the ninth and 10th collaboration between Manhattan Theatre Club and Donald Magulies. The relationship began almost 25 years ago with the What's Wrong With This Picture? which played MTC's original home at Stage 73 on the Upper East Side.

In addition to THE ROYAL FAMILY and COLLECTED STORIES at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre and TIME STANDS STILL at MTC at New York City Center, in the coming weeks, MTC will announce one more production for the Friedman Theatre and two more productions for New York City Center - Stage I along with casting, creative team, and other listings information for all productions.

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. MTC productions have earned a total of 16 Tony Awards and five Pulitzer Prizes, an accomplishment unparalleled by a New York theatrical institution. Renowned MTC productions include Ruined; The American Plan; Top Girls; 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'.

Last season, MTC's Broadway stage was renamed the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). The landmarked theatre has been the institution's home on Broadway since 2003 and was rehabilitated by MTC following a two-year, $35 million capital campaign. In addition, MTC operates an Off-Broadway home at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street), where it has been in residence since 1984.

For more information on Manhattan Theatre Club, please visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

You can subscribe to MTC by calling (212) 399-3030, Monday - Friday, noon - 8 PM with a major credit card. Subscriptions will also be available online at www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

Single tickets to all productions will be available at a later date. Other listings information will be released in the coming weeks.