Manhattan Theatre Club Announces More Casting and Dates for 2008-2009 Season

Manhattan Theatre Club has released more details regarding its 2008-2009 season. New information includes new dates and casting for the world premiere of John Patrick Shanley's Romantic Poetry, further casting for the world premiere of Lynn Nottage's Ruined, additional casting for the world premiere of Nick Whitby's To Be or Not To Be and a confirmed opening night for Samson Raphaelson's Accent on Youth.

Romantic Poetry, which will be directed by Shanley and features music by the Grammy-winning Henry Kreiger, will feature Ivan Hernandez Zhivago in La Jolla Playhouse, Mark Linn-Baker A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Patina Renea Miller Hair at the Delacorte Theatre. The show starts previews on Stage I at New York City Center on September 30 and will open on October 28.

Ruined, starring Tony winner Adriane Lenox, will feature Quincy Tyler Bernstine The Misanthrope, Chris Chalk MTC's Defiance, William Jackson Harper Queens Boulevard, Chiké Johnson The Crucible at Steppenwolf, Russell Gebert Jones Our Lady of 121st Street, two-time Emmy Award winner Kevin Mambo The Guiding Light, Tom Mardirosian Wonderful Town, and Condola Rashad Pearl at the Kennedy Center. The play begins previews at the New York City Center on January 21, with an opening set for February 10.

Joining the previously announced cast of To Be or Not To Be, which is headlined by Craig Bierko, Jan Maxwell and Brian Murray, will Robert Dorfman The Lisbon Traviata and Jimmy Smagula Damn Yankees at Encores!. Previews begin on September 11 at the Biltmore Theatre, with opening night set for October 2.

Accent on Youth, starring David Hyde Pierce in a backstage love triangle between a playwright, a secretary and a leading man, has confirmed its opening night at the Biltmore Theatre for April 29. Previews will begin on April 7.

Rounding out MTC's 2008-2009 season is the previously announced Broadway premiere of Richard Greenberg's The American Plan, which begins previews at the Biltmore Theatre on January 2 and opens on January 22.