SYNOPSIS

In A.R. Gurney’s delightful new comedy a family tries to organise a wedding against all the odds, trying to balance time-honoured traditions in a changing world.

In a slightly tacky hotel room, Curtis is getting ready for the rehearsal dinner of his only son’s wedding. He is looking forward to the father of the groom’s prerogative – the speech to toast the happy couple. When he calls upon his late father for advice, his ghost makes a prompt appearance – a very eloquent and debonair ghost indeed, upholding the unwritten rules of the WASP heritage. Alas, traditions fly out of the window one by one as the party plans unravel: The dinner’s careful seating arrangements are being overturned by a smitten friend of the bride, the menu is challenged by an Orthodox Jewish guest and the ex-husband of the bride plans on delighting everyone with one hour of stand-up comedy! And when the groom, in despair, finally confesses he has cold feet, Curtis finds that balancing tradition and the needs of his future family may prove too messy for a black tie affair.


“Black Tie is one of this prolific writer’s most enjoyable plays, … an effortlessly engaging comedy…” – NY Times
“A lighthearted romp about what really matters – manners.” – NY Theatre.com
“Wryly witty and warmly embracing of its characters’ eccentricities…funny, observant, quietly touching…” – BackStage

Cast & Creative Team

There will be one intermission of twenty minutes.

No photographs or recording allowed in the theatre without prior permission from the management.

World Premiere produced by Primary Stages
(Casey Childs, Founder and Executive Producer; Andrew Leynse, Artistic Director;
Elliot Fox, Managing Director), February 2011