Off-Broadway's CSC had recent success with Uncle Vanya and Three Sisters, directed by Austin Pendleton, and The Seagull. CSC artistic director Brian Kulick and executive director Jessica R. Jenen announced titles and some principal players for the upcoming 45th season on June 16.
The Cherry Orchard, "the culmination of CSC's Chekhov Cycle," will play a limited engagement Nov. 9-Dec. 18. Turturro and Oscar winner Wiest are veterans of CSC. The famous play concerns landowners who don't act quickly or passionately enough to save their beloved estate. Wiest will play Madame Ranevskaya (who keeps looking backward) and Turturro will play former serf Lopakhin (whose plan for the property falls on deaf ears).
In early 2012, CSC veteran and Academy Award winner F. Murray Abraham will star in Bertolt Brecht's Galileo, directed by Brian Kulick. The play about the controversial scientist will run Feb. 1-March 11, 2012.
Beginning March 28, two-time Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth will star as Titania in William Shakespeare's comedy-fantasy, A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Tony Speciale, through May 6.
The 2011-12 season will also reunite CSC with the Graduate Acting Program of the Columbia University School of the Arts for the 7th annual season of The Young Company, CSC's education and outreach initiative that impacts the lives of thousands of New York City public schoolchildren throughout the five boroughs. This season The Young Company will feature Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, March 6-18, 2012. In April 2012, CSC will resurrect Open Rehearsal Series, featuring a company of seasoned actors and directors exploring a classic text over the course of three Monday evenings. This coming season will focus on Shakespeare's Antony & Cleopatra April 16, 23 & 30.
Additional casting and creative teams will be announced.
For more information on Classic Stage Company visit the theatre's website at www.classicstage.org.