Artistic director Oskar Eustis announced the coming production at the opening night of Macbeth, now playing the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Previously, the Public has only said that Kline would star in Shakespeare play to be named later.
New York has been rich in Lears in recent seasons. In spring 2004, Christopher Plummer received copious praise when he played the mad king at the Vivian Beaumont. And a new production starring Alvin Epstein will close Off-Broadway July 2.
James Lapine will direct Kline at the Public. No other casting has been announced.
Kline has previously appeared in Richard III, Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V and Hamlet (twice) at the Public Theater. He won raves recently when he played Falstaff in that history play at Lincoln Center Theater.
