Paul Rudd and Julianna Margulies will perform in a one-night only benefit reading of Neil LaBute‘s play, The Mercy Seat, for MCC Theatre.
The reading takes place on June 17th at 7:30 p.m. at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, NYC). The event is part of MCC’s celebration of a decade of collaboration and new work with Playwright-in-Residence Neil LaBute. Proceeds will benefit MCC Theater’s literary development programs, including the Playwrights’ Coalition and free PlayLab reading series.
Margulies (“The Good Wife,” “ER”), an MCC Theater board member, last appeared on MCC’s stage in the 2002 production of Intrigue with Faye. Rudd (“This Is 40,” “Knocked Up”) appeared on Broadway this season in Craig Wright’s Grace and will next star in the upcoming films Prince Avalanche and Anchorman 2.
The Mercy Seat is set on September 12, 2001. The twin towers are down and the world has changed overnight. Two people, a married man (believed to be among the victims of the tragedy) and his boss (and mistress) are holed up in her apartment contemplating their next move: return to their old lives or run away and start anew. Originally produced in 2002, The Mercy Seat was among the first dramatic works to respond to the events of 9/11, and marked the first collaboration between MCC Theater and LaBute, who have gone on to collaborate on 7 productions of new plays over the last 10 years, including this spring’s Reasons to Be Happy, a companion piece to LaBute’s Tony®-nominated Reasons to Be Pretty, which had its world premiere at MCC Theater in 2008.
Tickets are priced at $250 (Premium Seating and Post-show Reception with the cast), $100 (Orchestra and Front Mezzanine), and $75 (Mezzanine). Special advance tickets are available for MCC Patrons (on sale now) and MCC subscribers and Miscast 2013 gala supporters (on sale April 30th) and can be purchased by contacting the MCC Development Department at (212) 727-7722 ext. 232. Tickets go on sale to the general public on May 7th and may be purchased by visiting www.mcctheater.org or calling (212) 352-3101. General ticket buyers may also purchase Premium Seats by contacting the MCC Development Department at (212) 727-7722 ext. 232 starting on May 7th.