Fri, Mar 4th @ 5.30 P.M: Playwright A. R. Gurney: Reading and Book Signing (FREE) at The Drama Book Shop

Playwright A.R. Gurney will read from and sign copies of his plays. A.R. Gurney (Playwright) has been writing plays for over fifty years. Among them are: Scenes from American Life, The Dining Room, The Cocktail Hour, Love Letters, Sylvia, Big Bill, Far East, Mrs. Farnsworth, Indian Blood, Buffalo Gal, The Grand Manner, and Office Hours. He taught literature at M.I.T. for twenty-five years before turning to writing full time. Besides plays, he has written three published novels, several television scripts, a few unproduced movies, and the librettos of two operas. Gurney is a member of the Theatre Hall of Fame and the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He has honorary degrees from Williams College and Buffalo State University.

Currently on stage: Primary Stages (Casey Childs, Founder & Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director; Elliot Fox, Managing Director), presents the final production of the 2010-2011 season: the World Premiere of the new comedy, Black Tie by A.R. Gurney under the direction of Mark Lamos, who return to Primary Stages where they collaborated on the world premiere productions of Indian Blood and Buffalo Gal.

The five-member cast will feature Ari Brand as Teddy, Daniel Davis as Curtis’s Father, Gregg Edelman as Curtis, Carolyn McCormick as Mimi, and Elvy Yost as Elsie.

Performances began Tuesday, January 25, 2011 for a limited run through Sunday, March 27, 2011 at Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters (59 East 59th Street, between Park and Madison Avenues). Opening night was February 8, 2011.

Father of the groom, Curtis, simply wants to make a memorable toast. But before he is able to raise his glass, he must defend the time-honored ways of his past, including his attire. Cultures clash when a surprise guest is announced, threatening to throw convention out the window. Curtis finds that balancing the standards of his late father and the needs of his future family may prove too messy for a black tie affair.

Single tickets for Black Tie are priced at $60 and may be purchased by calling Ticket Central at (212) 279-4200, online at www.primarystages.org, or in person at the 59E59 THEATERS Box Office. Group Tickets (10+) are $45.00 each, and are available by calling (212) 840-9705, ext. 219. Please visit the website at www.primarystages.org, or call (212) 840-9705 for additional information.

For theater patrons 35 and under, Primary Stages offers specially priced $20 tickets (maximum two tickets per valid ID). Advance tickets are available through Ticket Central using code PS35. Failure to present a valid ID will result in an additional fee. All tickets are subject to availability.