Directed by Scott Ellis, Bernard Pomerance's drama will feature Patricia Clarkson as Mrs. Kendal, Bradley Cooper as John Merrick  (the titular Elephant Man), Tony Award winner Shuler Hensley as Ross/Bishop How/Snork, Scott Lowell as Will/Lord John/Earl, Alessandro Nivola as Frederick Treves, Marguerite Stimpson as Sandwich/Countess/Alexandra and Henry Stram as Carr Gomm/Conductor.

"From a desperate existence in a Victorian freak show to his days as the toast of London high society, the life of John Merrick, the Elephant Man, has fascinated the world for well over a century," according to Williamstown. "Though his disfigurement brought notoriety, it was his unblemished inner humanity that most astonished those around him, compelling examinations of their own prejudices and beliefs. Shattering our illusions of normalcy, The Elephant Man by Bernard Pomerance weaves Merrick's tale into a parable on beauty, innocence, and human dignity."

The creative team includes Timothy Mackabee (scenic and projections design), Clint Ramos (costume design), Philip Rosenberg (lighting design) and Tom Kochan (original music/sound design). Davin DeSantis is the production stage manager.

In other Williamstown casting news, Obie Award winner Heidi Schreck has joined the cast of Last of the Red Hot Lovers as Jeanette Fisher, replacing previously announced Lili Taylor, who will not appear in the production due to scheduling conflicts.

Tickets to the Williamstown Theatre Festival may be purchased online (www.wtfestival.org), by phone at (413) 597-3400, or in person at the '62 Center for Theatre and Dance Box Office at 1000 Main St (Route 2), Williamstown, MA.