NEW YORK CITY: After a 15-year affiliation, MCC Theater has severed ties with playwright-in-residence Neil LaBute, effective immediately. LaBute was supposed to have the world premiere of his newest play Reasons to Be Pretty Happy at the theatre this summer; the production has been cancelled.

No reason was given for LaBute’s sudden departure. The theatre issued a statement saying, “The theatre will be announcing a new play to complete the current season in the coming weeks.”

MCC has presented 10 plays by LaBute, including Reasons to Be Pretty (which transferred to Broadway, Some Girl(s), and Fat Pig.

Soon after the announcement, LaBute’s name was trending on Twitter, with a number of people expressing their lack of surprise at the announcement.