Bening, who currently stars in the world premiere of Ruth Draper's Monologues at the Geffen Playhouse, has agreed to portray Goneril in the production that is scheduled to begin July 22 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
Lithgow (The Columnist, Sweet Smell of Success, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), who last appeared at the Delacorte in the 1975 production of Hamlet, will star as King Lear under the direction of Tony winner Daniel Sullivan (The Merchant of Venice, Proof). Performances will run through Aug. 17.
The Public Theater has not announced complete casting for the production.
Bening is a four-time Academy Award nominee for her work in "The Grifters," "American Beauty," "Being Julia" and "The Kids Are All Right." The Tony Award nominee's stage work includes Coastal Disturbances, The Cherry Orchard, Talking Heads, Hedda Gabler, Medea and The Female of the Species.
