Marie and Bruce at the Acorn Theater

The New Group's have announced full production details for their revival of Wallace Shawn's comedy, Marie and Bruce, opening at Theatre Row's Acorn Theater on 5 Apr 2011, following previews from 14 Mar, and running through to 7 May 2011.

Directed by Scott Elliott, Marie and Bruce stars Marisa Tomei as 'Marie' and Frank Whaley as 'Bruce,' joining them are Tina Benko, Russell G. Jones, Cindy Katz, Devin Ratray, Alok Tewari, Adam Trese and Alison Wright.

Marie and Bruce recounts the day Marie finally resolves to tell her charming and impossibly positive husband Bruce that she's had enough. After a contentious morning in their apartment, Marie and Bruce embark on individual journeys through the city leading up to a dinner party that night. Wallace Shawn's Marie and Bruce contemplates a particular New York couple trapped in a marital mishmash of love, hate, caring and commitment.

The design team includes Derek McLane (set), Jeff Mahshie (costume),Jason Lyons (lighting) and Shane Rettig (sound).

Written in 1979, Marie and Bruce premiered that year at the Theatre Upstairs at the Royal Court in London, directed by Les Waters and starring Stephanie Fayerman and Philip Donaghy in the title roles. The first New York production was in 1980 at the Public Theater, New York Shakespeare Festival. Directed by Wilford Leach and produced by Joseph Papp, that production featured Louise Lasser as 'Marie' and Bob Balaban as 'Bruce.' The 2004 film "Marie and Bruce," with screenplay by Wallace Shawn and Tom Cairns (who also directed) starred Julianne Moore and Matthew Broderick as the title characters.

Bios: Marisa Tomei (Marie) Film: "My Cousin Vinny" (Academy Award, Best Supporting Actress), "In the Bedroom" (Academy Award Nom.), "The Wrestler" (Academy Award Nom.), "Cyrus," "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead "(Independent Spirit Award Nom.), "War Inc.," "Factotum," "Wild Hogs," "Loverboy," "Marilyn Hotchkiss," "What Women Want," "Happy Accidents," "Anger Management," "The Guru," "Alfie," "Slums of Beverly Hills," "Welcome to Sarajevo," "The Perez Family," "A Brother's Kiss," "Unhook the Stars" (SAG Nom.) and Howard Zinn's documentary "The People Speak." Theater: 'Top Girls,' 'Salome,' 'Oh! The Humanity and Other Good Intentions,' 'We Won't Pay! We Won't Pay!,' 'Waiting for Lefty,' 'Rocket to the Moon' and Noel Coward's 'Design for Living' (Williamstown Theater Festival).

Frank Whaley (Bruce) Theater: 'The Years' (MTC), 'Size of the World' (Circle Rep), 'Tooth' (EST), 'Veins and Thumbtacks,' 'Hesh,' 'The Great Unwashed' (Malaparte), 'A Suffering Colonel' (Naked Angels) and 'A Lie of the Mind' (The New Group). Films include: "Ironweed," "Field of Dreams," "Born on the Fourth of July," "The Doors," "JFK," "The Freshman," "Career Opportunities," "A Midnight Clear," "Hoffa," "Swing Kids," "Pulp Fiction," "Swimming With Sharks," "I.Q.," "Café Society," "Homage," "Broken Arrow," "Red Dragon," "School of Rock," "Chelsea Walls," "World Trade Center," "Drillbit Taylor,"" Vacancy" and the upcoming "Janie Jones."