That production — on the Guthrie's McGuire Proscenium Stage — will also include Sally Wingert as Hardy's wife Grace and Raye Birk as his manager Teddy.

Other highlights of the upcoming season include Randy Reyes playing Song Liling in David Henry Hwang's M. Butterfly on the Wurtele Thrust Stage and Tina Fabrique re-creating her acclaimed performance as jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald in the Guthrie's production of Ella.

The Guthrie will also offer a WorldStage presentation on the McGuire: Noël Coward's Brief Encounter, adapted for the stage by Emma Rice. The Guthrie's WorldStage program will also include a broadcast of the National Theatre of London's production of Racine's Phèdre, starring Helen Mirren. Phèdre will be filmed live in June, and the Guthrie will present the film in the McGuire Proscenium.

Among the many offerings in the Dowling Studio will be Super Monkey, an ensemble-created dramatic comedy led and directed by Jon Ferguson (Sept. 17-Oct. 4); a world premiere of a new work by Stuart Pimsler Dance & Theater (Oct. 8-18); Northern Lights/Southern Cross: Tales from the Other Side of the World, an international collaboration with Tutti Ensemble of Adelaide, Australia, written by Kevin Kling and directed by Jeanne Calvit (Oct. 22-Nov. 8); Singled Out: A Festival of Emerging Artists curated by Benjamin McGovern (Jan. 13-24, 2010); David Henry Hwang's Yellow Face (Feb. 4-21, 2010); Coward's Women, a musical revue of Noel Coward songs (March 30-April 3, 2010); and the University of Minnesota's BFA Senior Showcase (April 5-19, 2010).

The Guthrie will also present the Druid Theater's production of The Walworth Farce at the Walker Art Center Oct. 21-25, 2009. Mikel Murfi directs Edna Walsh's play. "I am enormously proud of the ambitious season we announce today," artistic director Dowling said in a statement. "The work on our stages this season is designed to entertain, enlighten and uplift our audiences. In difficult times, it's vital that the Guthrie remains a resource for the people of this region and we are truly proud to fulfill the promise we made to this community and bring work of national significance to our stages."

Season details follow for the subscription series.

On the Wurtele Thrust Stage

September 12 – November 8, 2009
The Importance of Being Earnest
by Oscar Wilde
directed by Joe Dowling
September 17, Opening Night

November 19 – December 31, 2009
A Christmas Carol
by Charles Dickens
adapted by Barbara Field
directed by Gary Gisselman
November 21, Opening Night

January 30 – April 3, 2010
Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
directed by Joe Dowling
February 5, Opening Night

April 17 –  June 6, 2010
M. Butterfly
by David Henry Hwang
directed by Peter Rothstein
April 23, Opening Night
Randy Reyes stars.

July 3 – August 22, 2010
She Stoops to Conquer
by Oliver Goldsmith
directed by Joe Dowling
July 9, Opening Night

On the McGuire Proscenium Stage

July 8 & 9, 2009
A filmed presentation of the National Theatre of Great Britain's production of Phèdre
by Jean Racine
in a version by Ted Hughes
directed by Nicholas Hytner
Helen Mirren, Dominic Cooper and Margaret Tyzack star.

July 21 – September 6, 2009
Ella
book by Jeffrey Hatcher
conceived by Rob Ruggiero and Dyke Garrison
musical direction & arrangements by Danny Holgate
directed by Rob Ruggiero
July 24, Opening Night
Tina Fabrique stars.

October 17 – December 6, 2009
Faith Healer
by Brian Friel
directed by Joe Dowling
associate director Benjamin McGovern
October 23, Opening Night
Joe Dowling, Sally Wingert and Raye Birk star.

January 9 – 31, 2010
The Acting Company / Guthrie Theater production of Romeo and Juliet
by William Shakespeare
directed by James Kerr
January 13, Opening Night
The cast will be made up of a young company of actors, many of whom will come from two of the Guthrie's actor training programs: A Guthrie Experience for Actors in Training and the University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater B.F.A. Actor Training Program.

February 11 – April 3, 2010
Guthrie's WorldStage program presents Kneehigh Theatre's production of Noel Coward's Brief Encounter
directed by Emma Rice
February 12, Opening Night

May 22 – July 11, 2010
Dollhouse
by Rebecca Gilman
directed by Wendy C. Goldberg
May 28, Opening Night

August 14 – October 3, 2010
A Streetcar Named Desire
by Tennessee Williams
directed by John Miller-Stephany
August 20, Opening Night

For more information visit www.guthrietheater.org.