Summer, 1976, now in previews at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

1. Summer, 1976, now in previews at MTC’s Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street).

   Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) is proud to announce its world premiere of "Summer, 1976", a new play written by Pulitzer Prize-winning author David Auburn, directed by Tony Award winner Daniel Sullivan and starring Tony and Academy Award-nominee Laura Linney and Tony and Emmy Award-nominee Jessica Hecht. The production is currently in previews at MTC's Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City and officially opened on April 25.

   "Summer, 1976" tells the story of two women in Ohio, Diana, and Alice, who develop an unlikely friendship over one fateful summer during the Bicentennial celebration. Diana, a fiercely iconoclastic artist and single mom, and Alice, a free-spirited yet naive young housewife, navigate motherhood, ambition, and intimacy while helping each other discover their own independence. The play is a deeply moving and insightful piece about connection, memories, and the small moments that can change the course of our lives.

   The creative team for "Summer, 1976" includes John Lee Beatty (scenic design), Linda Cho (costume design), Japhy Weideman (lighting design), Jill BC Du Boff (sound design), Hana S. Kim (projection design), Greg Pliska (original music), Caparelliotis Casting & Kelly Gillespie (casting), James FitzSimmons (production stage manager), and Katie Ailinger (stage manager).

   MTC commissioned "Summer, 1976" through the Bank of America New Play Program, and production support is provided by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and the Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater. The play marks a return to Broadway for Laura Linney and Jessica Hecht, who have both been recognized for their outstanding work in previous productions. It also reunites playwright David Auburn and director Daniel Sullivan, who previously collaborated on the Tony Award-winning play "Proof" and Lillian Hellman's "The Little Foxes".

   If you're looking for a new and thought-provoking play to see, "Summer, 1976" may be just what you're looking for. With a talented cast, a renowned creative team, and a compelling story that explores the complexities of human relationships, this production is not to be missed.