QUICK TAKES - June 17, 2009

Neil LaBute has called New York’s MCC Theater his creative home for close to seven years. But it now appears the relationship is headed for divorce court. MCC said Tuesday it has canceled its production of LaBute’s latest play, “The Break of Noon,” and a representative for LaBute said she was uncertain if he would remain MCC’s playwright-in-residence.

“The Break of Noon” was set to open the MCC’s 2009-10 season after being bumped from its original spring 2009 slot. The drama tells the story of one man’s religious epiphany after he survives an office shooting. A spokesman for MCC said that the play is finished but that the theater has decided to cancel its planned production for September. No reason was given.

Reached by phone, LaBute said that “The Break of Noon” isn’t finished yet and that he plans to write at least one more draft. He said his commitments to his most recent movie projects and the Broadway run of his drama “Reasons to Be Pretty” have prevented him from completing the play.

LaBute’s theatrical agent, Joyce Ketay, said “The Break of Noon” will have its world premiere overseas, though she declined to specify where.

-- David Ng