Hamilton, Ireland, O'Connell, Nivola, Siff and Whaley Cast in A Lie of the Mind Off-Broadway

By Ernio Hernandez
19 Nov 2009

Josh Hamilton
Josh Hamilton
Photo by Aubrey Reuben

Josh Hamilton, Marin Ireland, Deirdre O'Connell, Alessandro Nivola, Maggie Siff and Frank Whaley will star in the upcoming Ethan Hawke-directed staging of Sam Shepard's A Lie of the Mind.

Previews will begin Jan. 29, 2010, in advance of a February opening (exact date to be announced) for a limited engagement at The Acorn Theatre in The New Group's home in Theatre Row.

A Lie of the Mind "centers on Jake, who is blinded by jealousy and rage, and believes he may have murdered his wife," as press notes explain. "While seeking refuge in the home of his abusive and unstable mother, his brother Frankie goes to investigate and finds himself caught in the confusing currents of revenge and longing."

The starry cast will feature Hamilton (Hurlyburly, Things We Want), Ireland (After Miss Julie, reasons to be pretty), O’Connell (Circle Mirror Transformation, End Days), Nivola ("Mansfield Park," "Face/Off"), Siff (Or, "Mad Men") and Whaley ("Pulp Fiction," "Swimming with Sharks").

Playwright Shepard (who is also known for his work as a director and actor) earned the Pulitzer Prize for Buried Child. Other plays include Curse of the Starving Class and True West. A Lie of the Mind originally opened at the Promenade Theater in 1985.

Hawke (also known for his acting and writing) previously directed Jonathan Marc Sherman’s Things We Want for The New Group and the films "Straight to One," "Chelsea Walls" and "The Hottest State."

The New Group currently presents the world premiere of Kenneth Lonergan's The Starry Messenger. Following A Lie of the Mind, the company will stage the world premiere of the new musical The Kid based on the book by Dan Savage. New Group artistic director Scott Elliott will direct the latter, which was penned by Andy Monroe (music), Jack Lechner (lyrics) and Michael Zam (book).

Tickets to the current season of The New Group at Theatre Row, 410 West 42nd Street (between 9th & 10th Ave.), are available by calling (212) 279-4200. For more information, visit TheNewGroup.org.