The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which played at Broadway's Circle in the Square for over 1,100 performances from 2005 to 2008 and won the Tony Award for Rachel Sheinkin's book and another for actor Dan Fogler, one of its original company, will begin performances Feb. 11, 2011, prior to an official opening Feb. 21, for a run through April 2. Jamie Lloyd, currently directing Passion to play the Donmar Sept. 10-Nov. 27, will direct.
According to press materials, "Only those blessed with an extraordinary ability and love of language qualify for the Putnam County Spelling Bee. But there can only be one winner and with a place in the national final at stake, emotions run high, hopes are quashed and dreams are broken."
It will be followed by the first major London revival of Harold Pinter's Moonlight since the play was first produced at the Almeida. It begins performances April 7, prior to an official opening April 12, for a run through May 28. Bijan Sheibani, whose credits include directing Our Class at the National and now an associate director there, directs a play that is described in press materials as "a tragic comedy dysfunction." Andy lies dying in his bed. As his wife, Bel, tries desperately to bring his estranged sons to his side his thoughts turn to his youth, loves, lust and fears, whilst the haunting presence of the things they have all lost swirl in the dark lonely spaces of this suburban household.
The third and final full new production of the season sees artistic director Mcihael Grandage staging Schiller's Luise Miller, presented in a new version by Mike Poulton, which begins performances June 8, prior to an official opening June 13, for a run through July 30. The cast includes Felicity Jones, last seen at the Donmar in Grandage's production of The Chalk Garden. According to press materials, this play of power and politics explores the battle between honour and corruption, between truth and betrayal. Blood of ancient nobility and son of the most powerful statesman in the land, Ferdinand is willing to forsake his fortune for the love of Luise, daughter of a humble musician. But in a world governed by deception and greed, where power is everything, their future happiness and liberty are beyond their control.
Booking has not yet opened for this season. Visit www.donmarwarehouse.com for more details.
