MTC's THE EXPLORERS CLUB Begins Previews Tonight

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of The Explorers Club, the new play by Tony Award nominee Nell Benjamin, directed by Marc Bruni, begins previews tonight at7 PM in preparation for a Thursday, June 20 opening at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street).

The limited engagement of The Explorers Club features Brian Avers (Rock 'n' Roll), Max Baker (Cyrano DeBergerac), Steven Boyer (Gentlemen Prefer Blondes), Arnie Burton (Peter and the Starcatcher), Carson Elrod (All in the Timing), David Furr (The Importance of Being Earnest), Tony Award nominee John McMartin (Into The Woods), Drama Desk Award winner Lorenzo Pisoni (Humor Abuse at MTC), and Tony Award nominee Jennifer Westfeldt (Friends With Kids, Wonderful Town).

THE EXPLORERS CLUB is a new madcap comedy from Tony-nominated writer Nell Benjamin (Legally Blonde) and director Marc Bruni (Ordinary Days, Old Jews Telling Jokes).

London, 1879. The prestigious Explorers Club is in crisis: their acting president wants to admit a woman, and their bartender is terrible. True, this female candidate is brilliant, beautiful, and has discovered a legendary Lost City, but the decision to let in a woman could shake the very foundation of the British Empire, and how do you make such a decision without a decent drink? Grab your safety goggles for some very mad science involving deadly cobras, irate Irishmen and the occasional airship.

The creative team for The Explorers Club features: Donyale Werle (scenic design), Anita Yavich (costume design), Philip Rosenberg (lighting design), Darron L West (sound design), Laurence O'Keefe (original music), Tom Watson (hair & wig design), Angelina Avallone (makeup design).

Lead support for The Explorers Club provided by MTC's Producing Fund Partner, Andrew Martin-Weber. Production support provided by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation as part of the MTC/Sloan Science Theatre Initiative. The Explorers Club is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New American Plays Award.

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, MTC has become one of the country's most prominent and prestigious theatre companies. Over the past three decades, MTC productions have earned a total of 18 Tony Awards and six Pulitzer Prizes, an accomplishment unparalleled by a New York theatrical institution. MTC has a Broadway home at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) and two Off-Broadway theatres at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street). Since January 2011, Mandy Greenfield (Artistic Producer) has taken the lead in programming and execution at MTC's Off-Broadway home. Renowned MTC productions include Venus in Fur; Master Class; Good People; The Whipping Man; Time Stands Still; The Royal Family; Ruined; The American Plan; Come Back, Little Sheba; Blackbird; Translations; Shining City; Rabbit Hole; Doubt; Proof; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; Love! Valour! Compassion!; A Small Family Business; Sylvia; Putting It Together; Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune; Crimes of the Heart; and Ain't Misbehavin.'

For more information on MTC, visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

Tickets for The Explorers Club are available via the New York City Center Box Office (131 West 55th Street), CityTix (212-581-1212) and www.nycitycenter.org. Tickets for The Explorers Club are $85.

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

• THROUGH SUNDAY, JUNE 9: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday at 7 PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Saturday andSunday at 2 PM.
• MONDAY, JUNE 10 - SUNDAY, JUNE 16: Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday, andSunday at 2 PM.
• MONDAY, JUNE 17 - SUNDAY, JUNE 23 (WEEK OF OPENING): Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday at 7 PM, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM. Please note there are only seven performances on sale to the public this week.
• MONDAY, JUNE 24 - SUNDAY, JUNE 30: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday,Saturday, and Sunday at 2 PM.
• MONDAY, JULY 1 - SUNDAY, JULY 7 (WEEK OF JULY 4): Monday through Wednesday at 7 PM, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2 PM. Please note the production will be dark on Thursday, July 4 of this week.
• MONDAY, JULY 8 - SUNDAY, JULY 21: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday,Saturday, and Sunday at 2 PM.