In light of the unfortunate temporary theater closures and devastating permanent show cancellations across the world due to COVID-19, New York City’s MCC Theater has launched a new initiative for something to look forward to in these dark times — MCC Virtual Events. As described by MCC Theater, it will include “a whole bunch of different ways to watch, discover, talk and engage with our work and community.”
The LET’S WATCH programming for the Virtual Events series will kick off on April 28 with a reading of Alan Bowne’s Beirut, a story which launched MCC Theater’s one-act festival back in 1987. The reading will feature Marisa Tomei, who will be reprising her award-winning role from the 1987 production, Oscar Isaac, and Patrick Breen.
Beirut has stark parallels that are relevant to the times we find ourselves in today; it follows the story of a man in the 1980s who tests positive for a “nameless disease” and must isolate alone in his Lower East Side apartment. The man, Torch, will be portrayed by Isaac, and Tomei is Blue, his girlfriend that refuses to let him be quarantined alone.
Beruit will be presented virtually at 7:30 p.m. EST on Tuesday, April 28, with a 60-minute run time. Tickets are available here, and the early bird tiers sold out quickly, so don’t miss out!
All proceeds from this benefit reading will go toward MCC Theater’s Be Our Light campaign, and will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the MCC Board.
Ticket holders will be sent a link to access the live event one hour before it begins. Please note that the reading will not be available to watch after it is over.
