MCC Theater Premieres LaBute's 'reasons to be pretty' May 2008

MCC Theater announced that the third and final show of the company's 22nd Off Broadway season will be a World Premiere of Neil LaBute's bristling new comic drama reasons to be pretty.  This show marks the fifth collaboration between MCC Theater and LaBute, who is MCC's Resident Playwright.  reasons to be pretty puts a final, ferocious cap on a trilogy of plays that began with The Shape of Things and Fat Pig (which MCC also premiered). Performances of the four-character play begin at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street) on May 14, 2008 and will continue through July 5, 2008.

"America's obsession with physical beauty is confronted headlong in this brutal and exhilarating new play.  In reasons to be pretty, Greg's tight-knit social circle is thrown into turmoil when his offhanded remarks about a female coworker's pretty face (and his girlfriend's lack thereof) get back to said girlfriend.  But that's just the beginning.  Greg's best buddy Kent, and Kent's wife Carly also enter into the picture and the emotional equation becomes exponentially more complicated.  As their relationships crumble, the four friends are forced to confront a sea of deceit, infidelity and betrayed trust in their journey to answer that oh-so-American question: How much is pretty worth?" explain press notes.

Announcements regarding casting, a creative team, ticket prices and the official opening night will be forthcoming.  Individual tickets will be available through www.ticketcentral.com or by calling (212) 279-4200 once an on-sale date for the general public has been announced.

In addition, MCC Theater is offering a two- play subscription package that includes their highly anticipated winter production of Mick Gordon and AC Grayling's Grace starring Lynn Redgrave and reasons to be pretty.  Packages are priced at $55 - $75 for both plays and are available now.  For more information, visit www.MCCTheater.org or phone Isabel Sinistore at (212) 727-7722 ext. 224.

Photo: Neil LaBute