By Robert Simonson
11 Aug 2005

Film actress Claire Danes will take on a rare stage role in Christina Olson: American Model, a dance work by Tamar Rogoff which will debut at P.S. 122 Sept. 22-Oct. 2.

The Christina of the title is the famous subject of Andrew Wyeth's painting "Christina's World," one of the most iconic art images of the 20th century. The painting shows Christina lying in a field of grain, stretching one arm out in the direction of a distant farmhouse. The work does not indicate the reality of Olson's life, that she suffered from muscular deterioration that left her limbs weak.

Wyeth's painting also inspired, in part, the GAle GAtes et al Off-Broadway piece Tilly Losch.

Danes became famous as the teenage star of the mid '90s cult television series "My So-Called Life." From there, she went on to star in such films as "Romeo + Juliet," "The Mod Squad," "The Hours," "Igby Goes Down," "Stage Beauty" and "Polish Wedding."