MTC's THE EXPLORERS CLUB Opens Tonight Off-Broadway

Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of The Explorers Club, the new play by Tony Award nominee Nell Benjamin, directed by Marc Bruni, opens tonight, Thursday, June 20 at MTC at New York City Center - Stage I (131 West 55th Street). The production began previews on May 28.

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), John McMartin (Into The Woods), Lorenzo Pisoni (Humor Abuse at MTC), andJennifer Westfeldt (Friends With Kids, Wonderful Town).

THE EXPLORERS CLUB is a new madcap comedy set in 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 is 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.

Tickets for The Explorers Club are available by calling CityTix at 212-581-1212, online by visiting www.nycitycenter.org, or by visiting the MTC'S New York City Center-Stage 1 (131 West 55th Street). Ticket prices are $85.

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

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

· MONDAY, JUNE 17 - SUNDAY, JUNE 23 (OPENING WEEK): Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday at 7 PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Saturday and Sunday at 2 PM. There are only seven performances on sale to the general 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: Monday through Wednesday at 7 PM, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday,Saturday, and Sunday at 2 PM. There will be no performances on Thursday, July 4th.

· MONDAY, JULY 8 - SUNDAY, JULY 14: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday,Saturday, and Sunday at 2 PM.

· MONDAY, JULY 15 - SUNDAY, JULY 21: Tuesday and Wednesday at 7 PM, Thursday through Saturday at 8 PM. Matinees on Wednesday,Saturday, and Sunday at 2 PM.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus