No director has yet been announced for the production which was recently added to the new Geffen lineup for a run slated June 20-July 30, 2006.
In The God of Hell, a rural Wisconsin farming couple out of touch with the world of politics find themselves amid a "plot involving military secrets, torture, and mysterious blue sparks" when two unwelcome visitors come to their door.
Randy Quaid, J. Smith-Cameron, Frank Wood and Tim Roth starred in the world premiere of God of Hell ("The" has since been added to the title) at the Actors Studio Drama School Theatre (formerly the Westbeth Theatre Center) in New York's Greenwich Village. Lou Jacob directed the Off-Broadway production which ran in November 2004.
Actor-director Shepard is known in theatre mainly as a playwright for such works as True West and his Pulitzer Prize winner Buried Child. He recently starred Off-Broadway in Caryl Churchill's A Number which marked his return to the stage after a 30-year absence. On film, he has appeared "Days of Heaven," "The Right Stuff," "Fool for Love," "Crimes of the Heart," "Baby Boom," "Steel Magnolias" and "The Pelican Brief."
Shepard previously called the play "a takeoff on Republican fascism," adding, "I kind of wanted to get it done in New York before the election. I'm not sure it matters, but I figured I'd get it out there." The new season at Geffen launches (Sept. 6-Oct. 16) with Heather Raffo's Nine Parts of Desire. Next up (Nov. 5-Dec. 18) will be Tennessee Williams' Cat on a Hot Tin Roof starring John Goodman (Big River, "Roseanne") as Big Daddy, David Mamet's Boston Marriage (Jan. 31-March 12, 2006), Arthur Miller's All My Sons (April 11-May 21, 2006), Sam Shepard's The God of Hell (June 20-July 30, 2006) and the world premiere of Rick Cleveland's My Buddy Bill.
Subscriptions to the 2005-2006 season at the Geffen Playhouse, at 10886 Le Conte Avenue in Westwood, CA are available by calling (310) 208-5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com.