Previews begin Nov. 2. Michael Blakemore, who directed in England, repeats his work, which reunited him with his Copenhagen playwright. The latter play won the 2000 Tony Award for Best Play and Best Director. "A thrilling and moving tale of espionage, loyalty, unexpected betrayals and the paths we choose in life, Democracy is set in West Germany in the late 1960s – a time of hope and unlimited possibilities," according to the May 6 announcement. "The play charts the astonishing career of Willy Brandt, in his brief but remarkable tenure as Germany's first liberal leader for nearly 40 years. Always present but rarely noticed is Günter Guillaume, Brandt's devoted personal assistant – and no less devoted in his other role as a double-agent, spying on Brandt for East Germany's infamous Ministry of State Security."

The play opened to raves at the National's Cottesloe Theatre in August 2003, where it won the 2003 Evening Standard Award for Best Play, the 2003 Critics' Circle Award for Best Play and the 2003 South Bank Award for Best Play. The production recently opened in London's West End at Wyndhams Theatre.

A German language production of Democracy opens in Berlin on May 6.

Set design is by Peter J. Davison, costume design by Sue Wilmington, lighting design by Mark Henderson and sound design by Neil Alexander.

Democracy will be produced on Broadway by Boyett/Ostar Productions and Nederlander Presentations, Inc.

Casting for the Broadway production will be announced shortly.

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