Vineyard's THE LANDING Concludes Run with VIP Benefit Today

The Vineyard Theatre world-premiere production of the musical THE LANDING - with book and lyrics by Greg Pierce, music by John Kander and directed by Walter Bobbie - will conclude its acclaimed run with a special VIP benefit reception for patrons following the final performance today, November 24 at 3 p.m. at The Vineyard. (108 E. 15 St.) A $200 VIP ticket includes premium seating for the show as well as a champagne toast with the musical's cast and creative team onstage after the performance. For reservations and information contact Julie Erhart at 212-353-3366 or jerhart@vineyardtheatre.org.

Also, as a 'thank you' to its fans on Facebook and Twitter, The Vineyard has announced a special offer for social media followers for the final two weeks of THE LANDING: with November 14 and 21 designated as "Twitter Thursdays" and November 15 and 22 as "Facebook Fridays," Vineyard followers can purchase tickets for $35 each and join the theatre's staff for complimentary beer and wine in the lobby before the show. The Vineyard has created this offer to provide a face-to-face opportunity to get to know its social media fans and to give broader audience access to THE LANDING, which has been largely sold-out during its run. Special offer tickets are on sale starting Monday, November 11: to access codes, visit The Vineyard's respective social network pages -www.facebook.com/vineyardtheatrenyc; www.twitter.com/vineyardtheatre.

THE LANDING is the first collaboration between legendary theatre composer John Kander (CHICAGO, CABARET, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS) and Greg Pierce (SLOW GIRL, THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE), and kicks off The Vineyard's 2013-14 season. Mr. Kander and Mr. Pierce are also at work on another new musical, KID VICTORY.

THE LANDING also marks John Kander's first full new theatre collaboration with another writer since the passing of his long-time collaborator Fred Ebb in 2004. Kander and Ebb's latest collaboration THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS - which had its world-premiere at The Vineyard in 2010 prior to its transfer to Broadway - will have its London debut this fall, simultaneous with the world-premiere of THE LANDING at The Vineyard.

Walter Bobbie (CHICAGO, VENUS IN FUR) directs THE LANDING. Josh Rhodes (Rodgers + Hammerstein's CINDERELLA, FIRST DATE) is choreographer. Orchestrations are by Larry Hochman, David Loud serves as musical director and Paul Masse is conductor.

Featured in the cast of THE LANDING are Tony and Emmy Award-winner David Hyde Pierce (CURTAINS, VANYA AND SONYA AND MASHA AND SPIKE, "Frasier"), Julia Murney (Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY, WICKED), Paul Anthony Stewart (THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF) and Frankie Seratch (A TIME TO SHINE/TEEN CABARET).

THE LANDING is a beautiful and haunting new musical comprised of three thematically-connected tales of desire, love and loss.

THE LANDING has set design by two-time Tony Award winner John Lee Beatty (THE NANCE, TALLEY'S FOLLY), lighting design by Tony Award winner Ken Billington (CHICAGO, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS), costume design by Michael Krass (THE LYONS, TWELVE ANGRY MEN) and sound design by Nevin Steinberg (CINDERELLA, HAIR). David Loud (THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, CURTAINS) is music director, orchestrations are by Larry Hochman and Paul Masse is conductor.

Greg Pierce writes plays and fiction. His play SLOWGIRL was the inaugural play at Lincoln Center Theater (LCT3) last season. THE WIND-UP BIRD CHRONICLE, co-written with director Stephen Earnest, based on the novel by Haruki Murakami, premiere at the Edinburgh International Festival and went on to play the Singapore Arts Festival. Other plays include ODYSSEY ROOM, KICK STOP and KID VICTORY with John Kander.

John Kander has produced award-winning work for theater, film and television, and is best-known for his partnership with the late lyricist Fred Ebb, who collaborated for the theatre on FLORA, THE RED MENACE, CABARET (Tony Award), CHICAGO, WOMAN OF THE YEAR (Tony Award), KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN, CURTAINS and many more. Their latest collaboration, THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS, received its world premiere at The Vineyard before transferring to Broadway. Kander and Ebb films include "Funny Lady," "Cabaret," "New York, New York", "Chicago," "Kramer vs. Kramer" and "Places in the Heart."

Walter Bobbie won the Tony, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards as director of the international hit CHICAGO which has become the longest-running revival in Broadway history. Recent directing includes David Ives's VENUS IN FUR, NEW JERUSALEM and THE SCHOOL FOR LIES at Classic Stage Company, Ives's THE OTHER WOMAN at EST as well as Jeff Talbott's THE SUBMISSION at MCC and Terrence McNally's GOLDEN AGE at the Kennedy Center.

David Hyde Pierce recently concluded a Broadway run in the Tony Award-winning comedy VANYA AND SONYA AND MASHA AND SPIKE. He made his professional and Broadway debut in 1982 in Christopher Durang's BEYOND THERAPY and later appeared on Broadway in THE HEIDI CHRONICLES and MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT. He won the Tony Award and a Drama Desk nomination for his role in the musical CURTAINS. In the fall of 2011, Mr. Pierce made his directing debut with the new musical IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU at George Street Playhouse starring Tyne Daly and Harriet Harris. Last summer he directed Oscar Wilde's THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at Williamstown Theatre Festival. Perhaps best-known for his role on TV's iconic comedy "Frasier," Mr. Pierce earned four Emmy Awards among many other accolades. His film credits include "Little Man Tate," "Sleepless in Seattle," "Nixon," and "Down With Love."

Julia Murney last appeared on Broadway as Elphaba in WICKED, after playing the role on national tour. New York credits include LENNON, Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY, FALLING, THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, A CLASS ACT, SAVED, CRIMES OF THE HEART, QUEEN OF THE MIST, CLOSER THAN EVER and TIME AND AGAIN. She's been seen regionally all over the U.S. including at Signature, Williamstown, Reprise LA, Sacramento Music Circus and Goodspeed. Concert appearances include Carnegie Hall, Joe's Pub, 54 Below, Feinstein's, Kennedy Center, Caramoor, Town Hall and Birdland.

Paul Anthony Stewart appeared on Broadway in THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF and CYRANO: THE MUSICAL. He is an Emmy Award-nominee for his work on the daytime serial "The Guiding Light."

This production is the recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award.

One of the nation's leading non-profit theatre companies dedicated to new plays and musicals and bold new programming, The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works. Its 31st season will continue in February 2014 with the New York premiere of the musical ARLINGTON by Victor Lodato and Polly Pen, followed by the world premiere of TOO MUCH SUN, the newest play by Nicky Silver, directed by Mark Brokaw in May 2014.

Vineyard Theatre's leadership includes Douglas Aibel (Artistic Director), Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell (Executive Producer) and Sarah Stern (Co-Artistic Director).

Scheduled through November 24, THE LANDING will perform Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7 pm, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm. Tickets are $80 and can be purchased by calling the Vineyard box office at 212 353 0303 or online at www.vineyardtheatre.org.

Photo by Carol Rosegg