The acclaimed work will begin previews at the Guthrie Sept. 20 with an official opening the following evening. The limited engagement will run through Oct. 14 in the Dowling Studio.
Directed by Wendy Knox — who is artistic director of the Frank Theatre — the cast includes Jim Lichtscheidl, Grant Richey, Luverne Seifert, Chris Carlson, Patrick Bailey, Maria Asp, Aru Shiney Ajay and Kai Russell.
The Pillowman, according to press notes, "centers on a writer in a totalitarian state who is brought in for questioning when the plot lines of his stories bear an uncanny similarity to real-life crimes that have been committed in the community. Intertwining family secrets with the irrepressible power of storytelling and imagination, Martin McDonagh's [play] takes on some of today’s most potent issues — from censorship and the power of the state, to freedom of speech and the rights of the individual — all wrapped in a testament to the power of the imagination."
The creative team includes scenic designer Joel Sass, costume designer Kathy Kohl, lighting designer Mike Kittel and sound designer Michael Croswell.
The Broadway run of The Pillowman began March 21, 2005, and officially opened April 10, playing 23 previews and 208 regular performances before closing Sept. 18. The company — under the direction of John Crowley — featured Billy Crudup, Jeff Goldblum, Zeljko Ivanek and Michael Stuhlbarg. The play received a 2005 Tony nomination for Best Play. Tickets, priced $18-$34, are available by calling (612) 377-2224 or by visiting www.guthrietheater.org.
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The Guthrie Theater, founded in 1963, is "an American center for theatre performance, production, education and professional training." The Twin Cities' based Frank Theatre, founded in 1989, is a "professional theatre company committed to producing unique work which stretches the skills of the artists who create the work while simultaneously challenging the everyday perceptions of the audience through the exploration of ideas and issues of social, political and/or cultural concern."