MARY JANE Opens Tonight on Broadway

Press release

Manhattan Theatre Club’s
Broadway Premiere of
MARY JANE
Starring Academy Award Nominee
Rachel McAdams

Opens Tonight on Broadway


By Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Herzog
Directed by Anne Kauffman

With April Matthis, Susan Pourfar,
Lily Santiago, Brenda Wehle


Manhattan Theatre Club’s (Lynne Meadow, Artistic Director and Chris Jennings, Executive Director) is Broadway premiere of Mary Jane, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Herzog (A Doll’s House, An Enemy of the People), starring Academy Award® nominee and Critics Choice Award winner Rachel McAdams, and directed by Anne Kauffman (The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window) opens tonight at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

On Sunday evening, MTC honored the play’s arrival on Broadway with a celebratory performance and party attended by cast members Rachel McAdams, April Matthis (The Piano Lesson), Susan Pourfar (Tribes), Lily Santiago (“La Brea”), and Brenda Wehle (“The Gilded Age”). Photos and video from the celebration are available here:
DOWNLOAD PHOTOS FROM SUNDAY NIGHT

DOWNLOAD VIDEO FROM SUNDAY NIGHT

Academy Award nominee Rachel McAdams stars in the Broadway premiere of Mary Jane, written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Herzog (4000 Miles, An Enemy of the People). Captivating, affecting and compassionate, it’s the story of a single mother in an impossible family situation. Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, Mary Jane relies on unflagging optimism and humor, along with the wisdom of the women around her who have become a makeshift family, to take on each new day. But will inner strength and newfound friendships be enough to see her through? The New York Times called Mary Jane “the most profound of Herzog’s many fine plays.” And The New Yorker raved, “beautiful and remarkable... Herzog has made theatre that shines.”

The creative team for Mary Jane includes Lael Jellinek (Set Design), Brenda Abbandandolo (Costume Design), Ben Stanton (Lighting Design), Leah Gelpe (Sound Design), J. Jared Janas (Hair, Wig & Make-up Design), Caparelliotis Casting & Kelly Gillespie (Casting), Kate Wilson (Vocal Coach), and Narda E. Alcorn (Production Stage Manager).

The 2022-23 season marked Lynne Meadow’s 50th Anniversary as Artistic Director of Manhattan Theatre Club. Meadow was joined in summer 2023 by Chris Jennings, MTC’s new Executive Director. MTC’s mission, which Meadow created in 1972 and has implemented over five decades of award-winning theatrical productions, is to develop and present new work in a dynamic, supportive environment; to identify and collaborate with the most promising new as well as seasoned, accomplished artists; and to produce a diverse repertoire of innovative, entertaining, and thought-provoking plays and musicals by American and international playwrights. Since 1989, MTC Education, which uses the power of live theatre and playwriting to awaken minds, ignite imaginations, open hearts, and change lives, has also been an important corollary to MTC’s work, reaching thousands of students and educators worldwide each season.

Since its beginnings on East 73rd Street in New York City, MTC has grown from a small off-off-Broadway showcase theatre into one of the country’s most prestigious and award-winning producing companies, creating over 600 world, American, New York and Broadway premieres. MTC productions have earned 7 Pulitzer Prizes, 28 Tony Awards, 50 Drama Desk Awards and 49 Obie Awards amongst many other honors. MTC has homes on Broadway at its Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street) and Off-Broadway at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street). MTC is an anti-racist organization that respects and honors all voices, and upholds the values of community and equity. For more information, please visit www.ManhattanTheatreClub.com.

Manhattan Theatre Club is pleased to offer audiences and the general public free Beyond the Stage content, which is designed to enrich audiences’ experience with Mary Jane. Upcoming programs include:

April 28: Healing Arts After the show on Sunday, April 28, be sure to stick around for a unique Beyond the Stage talkback featuring Joanne Loewy and Andrew Rossetti of the Louis Armstrong Center for Music & Medicine at Mt. Sinai, along with production consultant Elizabeth Barone. Audience members will learn about the power of music therapy and have the opportunity to experience a demonstration led by the program's staff. Our hope is that you will leave the theatre feeling rejuvenated and balanced.

May 1: Caregivers Community Night Purchase a ticket and join us on Thursday, May 1 for a special performance honoring caregivers in our community on International Labor Day!

May 8: Circle of Hope Purchase a ticket and join us after the show Wednesday, May 8 for a Beyond the Stage talkback focusing on the support faith leaders provide for patients and their families navigating chronic illness. Panelists will include Rabbi Matt Green, Eric Manigian and Rev. Porsha Williams Gates.
May 12, June 2: Broadway Babysitters We are pleased to be partnering with the Parent Artist Advocacy League for Arts + Media (PAAL) and Broadway Babysitters to offer ticketholders FREE childcare during the Sunday, May 12 and Sunday, June 2 matinee performances of Mary Jane. Limited space is available for this opportunity–all children must be pre-registered and spots are reserved with ticket purchase only. For more information and to register, visit https://www.broadwaybabysitters.com/mtc-mary-jane-free-childcare-matinee/

ABOUT BROADWAY BABYSITTERS:
Broadway Babysitters, which was founded by Broadway performer Jennifer Malenke in 2016, is an arts-focused childcare company led by an ensemble of expert childcare professionals. Their personally vetted and individually trained playmakers bring the stage to your living room, drawing on their skills to help kids meet the world with wonder and cast themselves in any role they imagine. Since 2019 and through their ongoing partnership with PAAL, their work has expanded to include partnering with theater companies and institutions to provide accessible on-site care at shows, auditions and more. ABOUT PAAL:Parent Artist Advocacy League for Arts + Media (PAAL) is a national community, resource hub, and solutions generator for individuals with caregiver responsibilities and institutions who strive to support them.

TICKETING INFORMATION
Single tickets can be purchased at www.telecharge.com or in person at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre box office.

Joining MTC’s season of plays is easy! Just call the MTC Clubline at 212-399-3050 or go to www.manhattantheatreclub.com.

To sign up for MTC’s “30 Under 35” program, offering $30 tickets for theatregoers age 35 and under, visit www.manhattantheatreclub.com/30under35/.