Einan blog

Gregg Edelman Stars in A.R. Gurney's 'Black Tie' Beginning Off-Broadway Jan. 25

A wedding toast puts the father of the groom on the spot in the world premiere of A.R. Gurney's comedy Black Tie, which begins previews Off-Broadway Jan. 25 at 59E59 Theaters.

Mark Lamos, who staged the premieres of Gurney's Indian Blood and Buffalo Gal, helms the Primary Stages production, which will officially open Feb. 8 for a run through March 20.

Tony Award nominee Gregg Edelman (City of Angels, Tale of Two Cities) stars as Curtis, the anxious father of the groom, in a cast that also features Ari Brand (The Neil Simon Plays) as Teddy, Daniel Davis (La Cage aux Folles) as Curtis' Father, Carolyn McCormick (Equus) as Mimi and Elvy Yost as Elsie.

Here's how Primary Stages bills the comedy: "Father of the groom, Curtis, simply wants to make a memorable toast. But before he is able to raise his glass, he must defend the time-honored ways of his past, including his attire. Cultures clash when a surprise guest is announced, threatening to throw convention out the window. Curtis finds that balancing the standards of his late father and the needs of his future family may prove too messy for a black tie affair."

The design team for Black Tie includes John Arnone (set design), Jess Goldstein (costume design), Stephen Strawsbridge (lighting design) and John Gromada (sound design).

A.R. Gurney is the author of Love Letters, The Dining Room, Sylvia, The Cocktail Hour, Ancestral Voices, Big Bill, Indian Blood, Children and Crazy Mary. His plays have earned him Lucille Lortel, Drama Desk and Rockefeller awards. His most recent work, The Grand Manner, debuted last spring at Lincoln Center Theater.

Tickets for Black Tie, at the 59E59 Theaters, are available by calling (212) 279-4200. For more information, visit .