The play — which made its world premiere at London's Royal Court Theatre — will officially open Aug. 3 at the California stage. Lisa Peterson directs. Billed as a psychological thriller, The Country tells the story of an English country doctor (Cole) who shows up at his house with an unconscious woman he tells his wife was laying on side of the road.

Cole, who has appeared at the Playhouse in The Collected Works of Billy The Kid, is a member of Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company. At the Illinois venue, he has appeared in Death and the Maiden, Playland, Sideman and Closer. The actor is also known for his dry-humored screen roles in "Office Space" (as the irksome supervisor Bill Lumbergh) and "The Brady Bunch Movie" (as the patriarch Mike Brady). Other credits include "Midnight Caller," "One Hour Photo," "In the Line of Fire," "A Simple Plan" and "The Gift."

Emily Bergl and Catherine Dent star opposite Cole in the La Jolla presentation. Bergl starred in the Michael Greif-directed production of Our Town at the Playhouse as well as Broadway's The Lion in Winter and Off-Broadway's Old Money. Dent — who currently stars in the FX series, "The Shield" — appeared on Broadway in Uncle Vanya and Off-Broadway in The Amoeba Concerto.

Director Peterson has headed up seven Playhouse productions, including Be Aggressive, Wonderland, Valley Song, The Good Person of Setzuan, Triumph of Love, Arms and the Man and The Swan.

The Country creative team includes Rachel Hauck (scenic), Joyce Kim Lee (costume), Christopher Akerlind (lighting) and Mark Bennett (sound). Carrie Ryan serves as dramaturg.

Tickets can be purchased for The Country at the Playhouse, by calling (858) 550-1010. For more information, visit them online at www.lajollaplayhouse.com.