MTC’s Ruined Extends Through April 12

Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of Lynn Nottage’s Ruined has been extended. The topical thriller started previews on January 21, before opening to rave reviews on February 10, and was originally scheduled to close on March 29. It will now play at New York City Center’s Stage 1 through April 12, directed by Kate Whoriskey.

Ruined features Quincy Tyler Bernstine The Misanthrope at NYTW, Cherise Boothe King Hedley II at Signature, Chris Chalk MTC’s Defiance, Saidah Arrika Ekulona Well, Nottage’s Fabulation William Jackson Harper Queens Boulevard, Chiké Johnson The Crucible at Steppenwolf, Russell G. Jones Our Lady of 121st Street, Simon Shabantu Kashama Ruined at the Goodman, Kevin Mambo The Guiding Light, Tom Mardirosian Wonderful Town, HBO’s Oz, Ron McBee The Colored Museum and Condola Rashad Pearl at The Kennedy Center.

Originally presented in Chicago last fall, Ruined is set in a small mining town in Democratic Republic of Congo, and follows Mama Nadi Ekulona, a shrewd businesswoman whose bar/brothel plies rebel and government soldiers with music, beer and good times, as the land outside is torn apart by civil war. Is she a war profiteer, exploiting the women she shelters? How far will she go to survive?

The creative team for Ruined includes Derek McLane scenic design, Paul Tazewell costume design, Peter Kaczorowski lighting design, Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen sound design and music direction, Dominic Kanza original music, Lynn Nottage lyrics, Randy Duncan movement director.