Tina Landau stages the work to begin Feb. 1, 2007, and open Feb. 20 at the downtown Manhattan venue.
From the author of Peter Pan comes the story of "a young woman's disappearance and her mysterious return to her family twenty days later with no memory of time passed." The work, first performed in 1920, returns to the New York stage for the first time in more than 50 years.
Dullea — currently seen in the film "The Good Shepherd" — is remembered for his turn as astronaut David Bowman in "2001: A Space Odyssey" and its sequel "2010: The Year We Make Contact." Onstage he has appeared in Broadway's Butterflies Are Free and the 1974 revival of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. Other credits include films "Bunny Lake Is Missing" and "The Fox."
Joining Dullea and Howard in the ensemble are Betsy Aidem (Celebration and The Room), Ian Brennan (The Distance From Here), Susan Blommaert (Measure for Pleasure), Michael Countryman (Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams), Tom Riis Farrell (Dirty Blonde), Darren Goldstein (Abigail's Party) and Richard Short (WASPs in Bed).
Howard, a 21-year-old New York University theatre student, makes her professional debut in the lead role — following in her family's footsteps. Father Ron Howard is well-known for his acting roles on "The Andy Griffith Show" and "Happy Days" before turning his focus to work behind the camera. Her older sister Bryce Dallas Howard — seen on stage in As You Like — appeared in the films "Lady in the Water" and "The Village" and will be seen in the upcoming "Spider-Man 3." The design team for Mary Rose features James Schuette (set), Michael Krass (costume), Kevin Adams (lighting) and Obadiah Eaves (original music and sound).
Director Landau last teamed with the Vineyard on the world premiere of Kirsten Childs' musical Miracle Brothers. She staged the 2001 Broadway revival of Bells Are Ringing and also directed Floyd Collins, Dream True, Theatrical Essays, Beauty and Space.
Tickets for shows at the Vineyard Theatre, 108 East 15 St. can be reserved by calling (212) 353-0303 or online at www.vineyardtheatre.org.
