David Kennedy directs the play, which centers on the tragic and shadowy fate of Sebastian Holly. Suddenly Last Summer will run through Sept. 10.

Jefferies, who has performed A Streetcar Named Desire and Night of the Iguana at Hartford Stage, takes on the role of Mrs. Venable opposite Rooth (Born Yesterday, Is He Dead?) as fragile Catharine Holly and Maier (God of Carnage, Inherit the Wind, Dinner at Eight) as Mrs. Holly.

The cast also includes Susan Bennett (The House of Blue Leaves) as Miss Foxhill, Ryan Garbayo as George Holly, Lee Aaron Rosen (The Normal Heart) as Dr. Cukrowicz and Tina Stafford as Sister Felicity.

According to Westport, "Set in the New Orleans' Garden District in 1935, Suddenly Last Summer tells of a handsome poet who has died under mysterious circumstances. Only the beautiful young woman who was there knows the shocking truth of what happened. Will she tell her story no matter the consequences, or succumb to the pressure to protect the legacy of an influential and powerful family?"

Designing the production are Narelle Sissons (scenic design), Ilona Somogyi (costume design), Matthew Richards (lighting design), Fitz Patton (sound design), B. H. Barry (fight director) and Louis Colaianni (dialect coach).

As previously reported, Westport will also offer a one-night-only presentation of A Distant Country Called Youth, starring Richard Thomas, Aug. 29.

For tickets, visit WestportPlayhouse.