Photo Flash: In Rehearsal with Atlantic Theater Company's HARPER REGAN

HARPER REGAN will begin previews Wednesday, September 19; officially open Wednesday, October 10; and play a limited engagement through Sunday, October 28 Off-Broadway at Atlantic’s main stage Linda Gross Theater (336 West 20th Street).

One strange evening, Harper Regan (McCann) decides to walk away from her husband (Saxe), her daughter (Martin) and her home. She tells no one where she’s going or whether she’s ever coming back. She tosses family, history and fate straight up in the air, and it looks like she might be gone for good. In Simon Stephens’ acclaimed play, which premiered in 2008 at the UK’s National Theatre, we are folded into an absorbing story about a woman who explores the limits of loyalty, morality, and the bonds of family.

Celebrated British playwright Simon Stephens returns to Atlantic following making his debut with the critically acclaimed U.S. premiere of Bluebird starring Simon Russell Beale and Mary McCann, which was originally produced at the Royal Court in London. His plays include the Olivier Award winning On the Shore of the Wide World, Herons, Port, One Minute, Christmas and Country Music among many others produced throughout the UK. He is the Artistic Associate at the Lyric, Hammersmith in London.

Director Gaye Taylor Upchurch returns to Atlantic to collaborate with Simon Stephens after staging his hit play Bluebird in 2011. She directed Naomi Iizuka’s Language of Angels for Lincoln Center Institute and Patrick Huguenin’s Paper Dolls for the New York Fringe Festival, which received an Outstanding Ensemble Award. She also worked with Sam Mendes for three years on the trans-Atlantic Bridge Project, including the most recent production of Richard III starring Kevin Spacey.

Vandit Bhatt recently appeared Off-Broadway in The Great Recession at The Flea Theater. Christopher Innvar is currently featured in The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess and has appeared in the Broadway productions of The People in the Picture, 110 in The Shade, The Three Penny Opera, Les Misérables and Victor/Victoria. Mahira Kakkar’s New York credits include Alls Well at The Public Theater Lab and Opus at Primary Stages. Founding Atlantic Theater Company member Jordan Lage most recently starred Off-Broadway in John Patrick Shanley’s Storefront Church at Atlantic and in David Mamet’s Race on Broadway. Madeleine Martin stars in the hit Showtime series “Californication,” and has starred on Broadway in August: Osage County and The Pillowman. Founding Atlantic Theater Company member Mary McCann most recently starred Off-Broadway in Simon Stephens’ Bluebird. She appeared in the original casts of the world premieres of Spring Awakening, Ethan Coen's Almost an Evening and Offices and starred in Annie Baker's acclaimed world premiere play Body Awareness at Atlantic. Atlantic Theater Company member Mary Beth Peil appeared on Broadway in last season’s critically acclaimed revival of Follies. She appeared in The Room and Frame 312 at Atlantic. Gareth Saxe recently starred as “Scar” in The Lion King and has appeared in the Broadway productions of The Homecoming and Heartbreak House. Peter Scanavino has appeared on Broadway in Shining City and Off-Broadway in Boys Life, Rainbow Kiss and Suburbia. John Sharian returns to Atlantic following making his debut in Simon Stephens’ Bluebird. He has appeared in numerous London stage productions, including Sam Shepard’s A Lie of the Mind at London’s BAC and The Sweetest Swing in Baseball at the Royal Court. Stephen Tyrone Williams starred in My Children! My Africa! Off-Broadway last season, appeared in the Showtime movie Children of God, and recently completed shooting David Mamet’s Untitled Phil Spector Biopic.

The design team for HARPER REGAN will feature scenic design by Rachel Hauck, costume design by Sarah J. Holden and original music and sound design by Fitz Patton.

Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) is the award-winning Off-Broadway theater that produces great plays simply and truthfully by utilizing an artistic ensemble. Atlantic believes that the story of a play and the intent of its playwright are at the core of the creative process. The plays in the Atlantic repertory, from both new and established playwrights, are boldly interpreted by today's finest theater artists and resonate with contemporary audiences. Since its inception over 26 years ago, Atlantic has produced more than 130 plays, including: Tony Award® winning productions of Spring Awakening (Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik) and The Beauty Queen of Leenane (Martin McDonagh); world premieres of Almost an Evening, Offices and Happy Hour (Academy Award winner Ethan Coen); The Lieutenant of Inishmore and The Cripple of Inishmaan (Martin McDonagh); Romance (David Mamet); Through A Glass Darkly (Ingmar Bergman, adapted by Jenny Worton); Dreams of Flying Dreams of Falling (Adam Rapp); Bluebird (Simon Stephens); Storefront Church (John Patrick Shanley); Blue/Orange (Joe Penhall); Port Authority and Dublin Carol (Conor McPherson); Writer's Block (Woody Allen); revival of Hobson's Choice (Harold Brighouse); revivals of American Buffalo and Edmond (David Mamet); Dangerous Corner (J.B. Priestley, adapted and directed by David Mamet); Trumpery and The Cider House Rules (adapted by Peter Parnell); Celebration & The Room, The Collection & A Kind of Alaska and The Hothouse (Harold Pinter); Gabriel (Moira Buffini); Oohrah! (Bekah Brunstetter); Mojo and Parlour Song (Jez Butterworth); New York premieres of Boys' Life and The Lights (Howard Korder) at Lincoln Center Theater; Distant Fires (Kevin Heelan); The Joy of Going Somewhere Definite and Shaker Heights (Quincy Long); Minutes From The Blue Route (Tom Donaghy); Trafficking in Broken Hearts (Edwin Sánchez); Missing Persons (Craig Lucas).

During its history, Atlantic has garnered twelve Tony Awards, eleven Lucille Lortel Awards, fifteen Obie Awards, seven Drama Desk Awards, five Outer Critics Circle Awards, and three Drama League Awards. Atlantic also operates The Atlantic Theater Company Acting School, which has an undergraduate program in conjunction with NYU, as well as a two-year professional acting program and a six-week intensive workshop every summer. Atlantic for Kids and the Educational Outreach Program partners with schools and teachers throughout the greater metropolitan area coordinating in-school visits of teaching artists and post-theater talkbacks.

Atlantic Theater Company AT THE LINDA GROSS THEATER is located at 336 West 20th Street (between 8th & 9th Avenues). For ticketing, performance schedule and further information, go to www.atlantictheater.org.

Mary McCann, Gareth Saxe and Madeleine Martin

Mary Beth Peil and Mary McCann

Mary Beth Peil, Gareth Saxe, Mary McCann and Madeleine Martin

Mary Beth Peil, Gareth Saxe, Director Gaye Taylor Upchurch, Mary McCann and Madeleine Martin