Manhattan Theatre Club is reuniting playwright David Auburn and director Daniel Sullivan this spring with the premiere of the new play Summer, 1976. Tony nominees Jessica Hecht and Laura Linney co-star in the two-hander, which begins previews April 4 at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. Opening night is set for April 25.
Set in the summer of 1976, the story centers on the unlikely friendship between artist and single mom Diana (Linney) and naive housewife Alice (Hecht). Through each other, the women find their own independence as the country celebrates the Bicentennial.
Auburn and Sullivan have previously collaborated on Proof, winner of the 2001 Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and on The Columnist. Both shows were also produced by Manhattan Theatre Club under the artistic leadership of Lynne Meadow.
See photos of the cast and creative leaders from their first press day below.
David Auburn, Lynne Meadow, and Daniel Sullivan
David Auburn, Lynne Meadow, and Daniel Sullivan
Jessica Hecht and Laura Linney
Jessica Hecht and Laura Linney
Jessica Hecht, Lynne Meadow, and Laura Linney
Jessica Hecht, Lynne Meadow, and Laura Linney
David Auburn, Jessica Hecht, Laura Linney, and Daniel Sullivan
David Auburn, Jessica Hecht, Laura Linney, and Daniel Sullivan
David Auburn, Jessica Hecht, Laura Linney, Daniel Sullivan, and Lynne Meadow
David Auburn, Jessica Hecht, Laura Linney, Daniel Sullivan, and Lynne Meadow
The creative team for Summer, 1976 includes scenic designer John Lee Beatty, costume designer Linda Cho, lighting designer Japhy Weideman, sound designer Jill B.C. DuBoff, projection designer Hana S. Kim, and composer Greg Pliska. Casting is by David Caparelliotis and Kelly Gillespie. James FitzSimmons serves as the production stage manager and Katie Ailinger as stage manager.
