(PRINCETON, NJ) -- McCarter Theatre Center has announced an acclaimed ensemble cast for its eagerly anticipated production of CHOICE, the latest play from the acclaimed multi-hyphenate writer Winnie Holzman. Best known for her groundbreaking work on the international hit musical - and soon-to-be movie franchise – Wicked, Thirtysomething, and the seminal '90s TV series My So-Called Life, Holzman, a Princeton University graduate, returns with a narrative that weaves comedy, surrealism, and poignant reflection on the essence of choice in our lives.
This production features a lineup of Broadway veterans and screen performers, bringing a constellation of high-wattage talent to the Berlind stage. The cast includes Ilana Levine (Broadway: 1999 revival of You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown; Film/TV: Seinfeld, HBO’s Tanner ’88, Failure to Launch; Podcast: Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine) as Zippy, the fearless journalist at the heart of the story; Kate Mulligan (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Being John Malkovich) as Erica; Dakin Matthews (Broadway: Waitress and To Kill a Mockingbird; Film/TV: The King of Queens, Desperate Housewives) as Clark; Jake Cannavale (Broadway: Fish in the Dark by Larry David; Film/TV: Nurse Jackie, The Offer) as Hunter; Caitlin Kinnunen (Broadway: TONY-nominee for The Prom, The Bridges of Madison County, Spring Awakening; Film/TV: The Knick, Younger) as Zoe/Leah or Lena; Barzin Akhavan (Broadway: Network, The Kite Runner; Film/TV: Chicago Med, Girls5Eva, Smash) as Mark/The Other Mark.
Directed by Sarah Rasmussen, CHOICE is set to be a landmark production for McCarter, promising audiences an entertaining and endearing exploration of life's complexities through the lens of choice.
“This is a dream team, all-star ensemble cast to bring Winnie’s wildly timely, funny and deeply heartfelt play to life,” says McCarter AD and CHOICE director Sarah Rasmussen. “I’ve loved Winnie’s humanity and humor ever since I started watching her shows as a kid. It’s been one of the great honors of my career to develop this new version of CHOICE. It’s such a heartfelt, intergenerational, and wise look into the choices that make up a life – and one I can’t wait to share with audiences.”
Playwright Winnie Holzman adds “I’m thrilled to be returning to Princeton with a play that means so much to me, and with such an exciting and inspiring director and cast… it’s a dream come true.”
Tickets start at $25 and are now on sale at McCarter.org or can be purchased by calling the Patron Services Office at 609-258-2787. Groups of 10 to 20 save 10% and groups of 21 or more save 15% off tickets (zone restrictions apply.)
Princeton University Students can access free tickets with Passport to the Arts using code PUTIGER. More information on PU Student Tix for events at McCarter: McCarter.org/TigerTix
College Students can access $25 tickets in advance with code STUTIX.
The Creative Team: Sarah Rasmussen – Director; Andrew Boyce – Scenic Designer; Raquel Adorno – Costume Designer; Masha Tsimring – Lighting Designer; Andre Pluess – Sound Designer; Liz Hayes – Dialect & Vocal Coach; Alicia Rodis – Intimacy Coordinator; Julie Felise Dubiner - Dramaturg; Karyn Casl, CSA, The Telsey Company – Casting Director; Tiger Brown – Assistant Director; Alison Cote – Production Stage Manager; Matthew Luppino – Assistant Stage Manager.
Important Dates:
Preview Performances – May 8-17
Opening Night – Saturday, May 18 at 7:00pm
Post-Show Discussions – May 19 and May 25 at 2:00pm
American Sign Language Interpreted Performance – May 25 at 2:00pm
Open Caption and Audio Described Performance – May 26 at 2:00pm
McCarter is one of the country's flagship theatres and a vibrant center for community and for the performing arts. Located on the campus of Princeton University, the company is an independent nonprofit, serving as a nationally renowned, multi-disciplinary creative hub of arts and ideas, offering theatre, music, dance, spoken word, and educational programs for all ages. A two-time Tony Award winner, McCarter’s legacy of artistic excellence traces back to the theatre’s first performances in 1930. Thornton Wilder’s Our Town, Kaufmann & Hart’s You Can’t Take It with You, and William Inge’s Bus Stop all had their premieres on the McCarter stage, paving the way for a long history of collaborations with playwrights to launch remarkable works that have gone on to tens of thousands of performances reaching millions of audience members around the world. The company is equally revered for presenting global artists on its stages, including Alvin Ailey, Yo-Yo Ma, Samara Joy, Hasan Minhaj, Jon Stewart, Caetano Veloso, Rhiannon Giddens, Patti Smith, Esperanza Spalding, Lake Street Dive, and Herbie Hancock, among many others. Of the 100,000 community members who directly participate in the company’s work every year, more than 5,000 are students taking part in McCarter’s robust educational offerings in Princeton, Trenton, and in schools throughout the region. McCarter leads with values of “justice and joy, and beauty in belonging,” creating stories and experiences that enliven minds, expand imaginations, and engage communities.
