Eric Simonson's new play will be directed by artistic director Richard Corley for a run Nov. 9-Dec. 2 at The Playhouse at Overture Center for the Arts in Madison.

"We all know he was a legend, but who was Vince Lombardi really?" ask press notes. "Academy Award winner and Steppenwolf Theatre Company ensemble member Eric Simonson brings the great man to life, and shows us the ideas and people who made him the complex, extraordinary icon he was."

Madison Rep commissioned this world premiere, inspired by "When Pride Still Mattered," David Maraniss' biography of the great Packers coach."

The resident Equity theatre's 2007-08 season will also include Death of a Salesman, directed by Corley and featuring Roderick Peeples and Patricia Boyette; The Diary of Anne Frank by Francis Goodrich, Albert Hackett and Wendy Kesselman; Thomas Gibbons' racially charged Permanent Collection, directed by Corley and featuring Patrick Sims; and Larry Shue's The Nerd, directed by Tony Simotes and featuring Lee Becker.

Madison Rep's "off subscription" events in the 39th season will include the fifth edition of the Madison New Play Festival (Oct. 20-21 and Oct. 27-28); the previously announced summer musical Carousel; the return of last season's sold-out hit musical Muskie Love; plus Dickens in America, an evening with Charles Dickens (played by James Ridge), adapted from his work and words by James DeVita, directed by C. Michael Wright. For more information visit www.madisonrep.org.