Performances begin January 12 for the MCC Theater production of Yen, Anna Jordan’s Bruntwood Prize-winning play about two brothers who live without adult supervision—spending their time home alone, watching porn, and playing video games. The Get Down star Justice Smith and Manchester by the Sea breakout Lucas Hedges take on the lead roles in the New York premiere.
Trip Cullman directs. Ari Graynor, Stefania LaVie Owen, and Jack DiFalco round out the cast. The production will officially open January 31 for an engagement scheduled to run through February 19.
“In Yen, Bobbie and Hench are home alone. Days are filled by streaming porn, playing video games, watching the world go by. Their mom rarely visits these days, and it’s chaos when she does,” read production notes. “But when animal-loving neighbor Jenny takes an interest in their dog Taliban, the boys discover a world far beyond what they know.” The new work is billed as an exploration of “a childhood lived without boundaries.”
The production features scenic design by Mark Wendland, costume design by Paloma Young, lighting design by Ben Stanton, original music and sound design by Fitz Patton, projection design by Lucy Mackinnon, fight direction by J. David Brimmer, and special effects by Jeremy Chernick. Stephen Gabis is dialect coach.
Scroll through photos of the cast and creative team meeting the press below:
The Lucille Lortel Theatre is located at 121 Christopher Street, New York. For tickets and more information, visit mcctheater.org.
