MCC Theater has a reason to be happy: Its playwright-in-residence, Neil LaBute, plans to direct the premiere of his play “Reasons to be Happy†for the theater next year. The new play is described as “companion piece†to Mr. LaBute's savage comedy “Reasons to be Pretty†and features the same four characters â€" Greg, Steph, Carly and Kent â€" though in different romantic pairings.
No casting has yet been announced for the new play, which was reported by The Wrap.
MCC's production of “Reasons to be Pretty†debuted at the Lucille Lortel Theater in 2008 before moving to Broadway the following year. Although the move uptown was short-lived, the production was critically acclaimed and nominated for three Tony awards. That play was billed as the third in a trilogy that included “The Shape of Things†and “Fat Pig,†all of which centered around the subject of physical beauty.
“Reasons to be Happy,†scheduled to run from May 16 to June 2 3, replaces a previously announced production of John Pollono's “Small Engine Repair,†which has been delayed because of scheduling conflicts for the cast.
