Neil LaBute Leads the Lineup of This Year's 7th Inning Stretch Playwrights

Neil LaBute (Broadway, Reasons to Be Pretty) leads an impressive lineup of writers for Mile Square Theatre's 2013 7th Inning Stretch, with his newest work Squeeze Play. LaBute is joined by some of America's finest playwrights in this annual event that has thrilled theatre fans for over 10 years.

Contributing new plays this year are Brooke Berman (Helen Merrill Award Winner), Eric Conger (Walnut Street Theatre), Edith Freni (Steppenwolf Theatre), Jay Koepke (O'Neill National Playwrights Finalist), Jon Marans (Pulitzer Finalist), and Mat Smart (McKnight Advancement Grant). Chris O'Connor, MST Founder and Artistic Director, says of this year's event, "Once again, we're fortunate to have a stellar group of writers contributing to this unique evening. A passion for baseball and playwriting converge on our stage every year for this festival of 10 minute plays. Each year we are honored that such skilled writers come up with their unique take on baseball. It's an event that is eagerly anticipated by our audience, and this year's show will certainly satisfy."

7th Inning Stretch is Mile Square Theatre's annual fundraiser, and this year the Hudson County professional theatre is making some big steps towards growing into one of New Jersey's premiere regional theatres. In June, the company is returning to its roots with an open-air production of Shakespeare's comedy Twelfth Night at Sinatra Park in Hoboken; it will soon join forces with the area's premiere theatre education program, Hoboken Children's Theatre; and is making plans to renovate its intimate performance venue, the Monroe Theatrespace. With its growing budget, the non-profit is raising needed funds to sustain its 2013 programs and productions.

The 11th Annual 7th Inning Stretch will be presented at the Monroe Theatrespace, at the Monroe Center for the Arts. 720 Monroe Street, 2nd Floor. Performances are Friday, May 17 @ 8pm, Saturday, May 18 @ 7pm, and Sunday, May 19 @ 3pm. Saturday evening's performance includes The Triple Play Party, where food and drink from Hoboken's best restaurants are included with the price of admission.

Tickets: Adults: $25 Students/Seniors: $18 • Triple Play Party: $50
Tickets can be purchased online @ www.milesquaretheatre.org or reservations can be made at 201.683.7014.