A staging starring Liam Neeson and Kaitlin Hopkins to be directed by current A Streetcar Named Desire director Edward Hall was reportedly headed for the nonprofit's American Airlines Theatre September 2005, according to the actress' website.
The Roundabout website is currently listing Doubt and Frozen helmer Hughes as the director for an upcoming Fall 2005 production at Studio 54. No star names are officially attached and a Roundabout spokesperson only confirmed the production is under consideration.
Set in 1828 near Boston, A Touch of the Poet finds an Irish immigrant who thinks himself a distinguished gentleman though evidence to the contrary is overwhelming. The down-on-his-luck man who is now a tavern owner finds himself in a quandary when his daughter falls for the son of a wealthy American.
Neeson has previously spoken in interviews that his return to the Broadway stage will be in the O'Neill work or a revival of Camelot. Neeson's wife, Natasha Richardson, currently stars in the Roundabout's Streetcar at Studio 54.
The Irish-born actor made his Broadway debut with Roundabout in the 1993 revival of Anna Christie, co-starring Richardson, which garnered him a Tony Award nomination and led to the couple's marriage. Neeson subsequently appeared on Broadway in The Judas Kiss and The Crucible, taking his second Tony nomination for the latter. As a film actor, Neeson has appeared in "Schindler's List," "Nell," "Les Misérables," "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace," "Gangs of New York, "Love Actually" and opposite his Crucible co-star Laura Linney in "Kinsey" by "Chicago" screenwriter Bill Condon. He will also be seen in the upcoming film "Batman Begins."
Hopkins recently replaced Emily Skinner in the national tour of Disney's On the Record. The actress has been previously seen Off-Broadway in Bare: A Pop Opera, Beautiful Child and Bat Boy: The Musical as well as in the Broadway revival of Noises Off. Her solo album "Make Me Sweat" is currently available at at kaitlinhopkins.com.
The Roundabout will next present a Mark Brokaw-directed revival of W. Somerset Maugham's The Constant Wife starring Kate Burton and Lynn Redgrave with Enid Graham, Kathryn Meisle, Michael Cumpsty, John Dossett, Kathleen McNenny, Denis Holmes and John Ellison Conlee. Next season will see the Wallace Shawn adaptation of The Threepenny Opera starring Alan Cumming as Mack the Knife opposite Edie Falco and singer Nellie McKay in a production directed by Scott Elliott (Hurlyburly, The Women).
For more information on Roundabout, call (212) 719-1300, or visit them online at www.roundabouttheatre.org.
