The production will mark the directorial debut of choreographer Rob Ashford, who was responsible for the dancing in Grandage's Donmar production of Guys and Dolls now at the Piccadilly Theatre, and the current revival of Evita, also directed by Grandage.
As previously reported, the season will also include director Roger Michell's return to the venue with a revival of Pinter's Betrayal.
A new play by Michael Frayn (Democracy, Noises Off) also features in the upcoming season. In a celebration of British Absurdism entitled Absurdia, Frayn's The Crimson Hotel will be staged with revivals of N.F. Simpson's A Resounding Tinkle and Gladly Otherwise. The three short plays will run consecutively in the same evening.
Following the recently opened production of Ibsen's John Gabriel Borkman starring Ian McDiarmid (running until April 14), the Donmar season continues with Kiss of the Spider Woman with Rupert Evans (Romeo and Juliet and King John for the RSC) playing Valentin.
Set in a South American jail cell, the play by the late Argentine dramatist Manuel Puig (1932–1990) focuses on two cell-mates; a Marxist rebel punished for his ideals and a romantic fantasist convicted for his sexuality. Piug's play is best known as the 1985 movie starring Raul Julia and William Hurt, and as a musical by Kander and Ebb. The Donmar version features a new translation by Allan Baker.
Michell's production of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal will open June 5, following previews that begin May 31. The cast is yet to be announced.
The three plays of Absurdia begin performances July 26 and officially open July 31. All three works will be helmed by the Donmar's new associate director Douglas Hodge.
Best known as an actor (Titus Andronicus, The Caretaker), Hodge's directing credits include See How They Run.
The Donmar's musical offering this year, Parade (opening Sept. 24 following previews that begin Sept. 14), is based on the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory owner falsely convicted of murdering a girl in Atlanta in 1913.
First staged by Harold Prince at Lincoln Center's Vivian Beaumont Theater in 1998, Parade recived nine Tony nominations, winning Best Score and Best Book of a Musical awards for Robert Brown and Uhry, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Donmar transfers its production of Frost/Nixon to Broadway's Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, opening April 22 following previews that begin March 31. Grandage's production, starring Frank Langella and Michael Sheen, marks the Donmar's first Broadway transfer with Grandage as artistic director.
For more on the Donmar season, call (0)870 060 6624.
