Rebeck Premiere of POOR BEHAVIOR Replaces THE NOVELIST at Mark Taper

"Poor Behavior," a new play about lust and deception, marriage and fidelity by renowned playwright Theresa Rebeck, will have its world premiere at the Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum on September 18, as part of the Taper's 2011 season.

Directed by Doug Hughes, previews begin September 7 and performances will continue through October 16.

POOR BEHAVIOR replaces the previously announced Rebeck play THE NOVELIST.

"I'm a fan of Theresa's work and was looking forward to working with her on THE NOVELIST," said CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie. "But we couldn't pass up the opportunity to produce the world premiere of her newest play, POOR BEHAVIOR. It is a wickedly funny and insightful piece and I can't wait to see it on the Taper stage."

In POOR BEHAVIOR, a drunken late night argument about morality, history and ethics careens out of control, leaving two marriages and four lives in its wake. Over the course of two demented days in a lovely country house, this dark adult comedy asks the question: Is it adultery if they already think you've done it?

POOR BEHAVIOR is presented at the Taper by special arrangement with Jeffrey Finn and features set design by Tony Award-winner John Lee Beatty, costume design by Tony Award-winner Catherine Zuber, lighting design by Ben Stanton and sound design by Obie Award-winner David Van Tieghem.

The production reunites Pulitzer Prize finalist Rebeck with director Hughes, who previously collaborated in 2007 on Rebeck's Broadway debut, "Mauritius." Theresa Rebeck is a widely produced playwright throughout the United States and abroad whose work also includes "The Scene," "The Water's Edge," "Loose Knit," "The Family of Mann," "Spike Heels," "Bad Dates," "Our House," "View of the Dome," "Omnium Gatherum" (co-written with Alexandra Gersten-Vassilaros and a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2004) and "The Understudy." She has written two novels, "Three Girls and Their Brother" and "Twelve Rooms with a View." She is also an award-winning writer and producer for television, including the shows "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Brooklyn Bridge," "Dream On," "L.A. Law" and "NYPD Blue," among others.

Doug Hughes is currently represented by the new Broadway production of "Born Yesterday." He won the 2005 Tony, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Lortel and Callaway Awards for his direction of John Patrick Shanley's Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Doubt." His other Broadway credits include "Mauritius," "Elling," "Mrs. Warren's Profession," "A Man for All Seasons," "Oleanna" (production originated at Taper), "Inherit the Wind" (Tony nomination). His many off-Broadway productions include "The Whipping Man," "The Grey One" (Obie Award), "Flesh and Blood" (Callaway Award) and "The Paris Letter," and he has also directed numerous productions for most of the nation's leading theatre companies. He is resident director of New York's Roundabout Theatre Company and in 2005 he won an Obie Award for Sustained Excellence.

Tickets and information are available at CenterTheatreGroup.org or the Center Theatre Group box office located at the Ahmanson Theatre, or by calling 213-628-2772.

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