Buck Henry, Holland Taylor Set To Star In New Play MOTHER, Opening 7/15

Buck Henry and Holland Taylor star in Lisa Ebersole's new Off-Broadway play MOTHER, receiving its world-premiere production, with previews set to begin July 8, prior to its official press opening on July 15 at The Wild Project Theater (195 East 3rd Street) in Manhattan. Andrew Grosso (PERFECT HARMONY) will direct.

MOTHER is set in an upscale resort in West Virginia where an eccentric family gathers for their annual New Year's holiday. The get-together turns out to be far from traditional when matters of infidelity, sibling rivalry, copious bottles of bubbly, and even attempted kidnapping come to call -- all in the hotel dining room.

Joining Mr. Henry and Ms. Taylor in the cast are the playwright, Ms Ebersole, and Haskell King. Keith Randolph Smith -- a Broadway veteran whose credits include the recent revival of COME BACK, LITTLE SHEBA, KING HEDLEY II and SALOME -- has also joined the cast as the resort's maître d' who has known the family for 20 years.

Haskell King played opposite Ms. Ebersole in BROTHER, her 2005 play about race and class, which she directed when it debuted at The Paradise Factory in New York City.

MOTHER has scenic design by Sandra Goldmark, and costume design by Becky Laskey.

The producers have announced that premium on-stage seating is now available for $25. The premium seating will allow audience members to be seated on stage at café tables as part of the hotel dining room scenic décor; premium seating also includes a complimentary glass of Prosecco.

Actor, writer and director Buck Henry has written the screenplays for "The Graduate," "Catch 22," "Protocol" and "To Die For," among others. He co-created and wrote the series "Get Smart"; hosted "Saturday Night Live" ten times; and has appeared on numerous television series including "Murphy Brown," "Will & Grace," "30 Rock" and "The Jon Stewart Show." He has appeared on Broadway, most recently in the long-running Tony award-winning comedy ART and the Lincoln Center production of MORNING'S AT SEVEN. A two-time Academy Award nominee, Mr. Henry has won an Emmy, an Obie, a British Academy Award, and a Writer's Guild Award.

Acclaimed veteran Holland Taylor has appeared memorably in such features as "Baby Mama," "To Die For," "Next Stop Wonderland" and "Legally Blonde." On television, Ms. Holland's work on CBS' comedy hit "Two & A Half Men" has earned her Emmy nominations in 2005, 2007 and 2008. She won the Emmy for Supporting Actress in a Drama for "The Practice" and was also nominated for AMC's "The Lot." Other series starring roles include Norman Lear's "The Powers That Be," Tea Leoni's "The Naked Truth," and her LA debut, "Bosom Buddies" with Tom Hanks. Memorable New York performances include Bess in BREAKFAST WITH LES AND BESS, BUTLEY opposite Alan Bates, and A.R. Gurney's THE COCKTAIL HOUR.

Lisa Ebersole's plays include PANDA (Manhattan Theatre Source, Triad Theatre); METHINKS (Urban Stages); BROTHER (Paradise Factory), and PEOPLE DIE THAT WAY (Paradise Factory). Her films include the feature film "Brother" (Tribeca Cinemas) and the short film "Puddin'" (Palm Springs Film Festival). Ms. Ebersole appeared in and directed her plays BROTHER and PEOPLE DIE THAT WAY. She is a member of Tom Noonan's Paradise Theater Company.

Haskell King's theatre credits include PTSD and THE GREAT PRETENDERS (EST); BITTER TASTE (Youngblood); BROTHER (Paradise Factory); TAKE ME OUT (Caldwell Theatre); MOONS OF JUPITER and TALES OF THE SCHMINKE TUB (TerraNOVA Collective's ONE Solo Arts Festival); SWEET EROS (Mary's Space, dir. Austin Pendleton). Film credits include Ms. Ebersole's "Brother," "Pagans" (Cineblast); "Jimmy Crane," and Cannonball Luke." Mr. King is a member of Ensemble Studio Theatre.

Director Andrew Grosso is the Artistic Director & Ringleader of The Essentials, where he wrote and directed PERFECT HARMONY (Theatre Row, FringeNYC, FringeEncores).

MOTHER is presented Off-Broadway by Evill July Productions.

Performances of MOTHER run July 8 through August 1 at The Wild Project (195 East 3rd Street); Mondays, Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm. (No performances Tuesdays & Sundays). Tickets are $25. For reservations, call 212-352-0255 or visit www.theatermania.com. $30 on stage seats (which include a complimentary glass of Prosecco) are also available.

For additional information, visit www.mothertheplay.com.

Photo credit Walter McBride

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