An exclusively Off- and Off-Off-Broadway theater company for its first 30-odd years, Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) was emboldened to take up permanent residence on the Great White Way in 2003 following the hugely successful Broadway transfers of its productions of Charles Busch’s The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife and David Auburn’s Proof. Now each MTC season includes four Off-Broadway productions on its two stages at City Center and three Broadway mountings at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (formerly the Biltmore).
Although it does produce some revivals (usually of rarely seen contemporary plays), the Manhattan Theatre Club displays greater commitment to new plays than the other high-profile NYC non-profits. Perhaps as a result of this laudable commitment, or because the leadership has questionable taste (or just because New York theatergoers love to complain), MTC is also often accused of producing too many mediocre plays. The company has had its share of gems, though, including Pulitzer Prize winners Rabbit Hole and Doubt. MTC also has longstanding relationships with a number of significant modern playwrights, meaning that it has been able to present several premieres by the likes of Richard Greenberg, Terrence McNally, Athol Fugard, Alan Ayckbourn, Donald Margulies, and John Patrick Shanley.
Manhattan Theatre Club Information
- Venues: Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, 261 West 47th Street; Stages I and II at NY City Center, 131 West 55th Street
- Public Transportation: Excellent (for Samuel J. Friedman Theatre: easily accessible by subway lines C and E at 50th Street/8th Avenue; 1 at 50th Street/Broadway; N, Q, R at 49th Street; all Times Square lines; and buses M16, M20, M50, and M104. For Stages I and II: subway lines N, Q, and R at 57th Street/7th Avenue; the F at 57th Street; the B, D, and E at 7th Avenue/53rd Street; and buses M5, M7, M20, M31, M57, and M104)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good
- Performances/Programs: Performance schedule is typically Tuesday–Sunday
- Ticket Prices: Single tickets are $50–$96.50, discount codes usually available through Playbill, TheaterMania, BroadwayBox, Goldstar.com and others
- Subscriptions: Seven-Play $365–$405, Five-Play $275–305, Four-Play Sampler $190–$260, Three-Play $159–$199, Flex Package (Three-Play) $199, Flex Package (Four-Play) $260, Student subscriptions available. Subscriber benefits include ticket exchanges and discounts at neighboring restaurants and bars.
