Oscar winner Anne Hathaway returns to Public Theater

The Public Theater has confirmed that Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway will return to the New York Stage and star in George Brant's drama Grounded, directed by Tony Award winner Julie Taymor. Performances will begin at the Public's Anspacher Theater on 7 April 2015, before officially opening on 23 April and playing a strictly limited engagement through to 17 May 2015.

Artistic Director Oskar Eustis released the following statement:

"Anne Hathaway and Julie Taymor are amazing, unique artists, and we are honored to produce them at The Public Theater. Grounded is a brilliant and important play, a meditation on the human and moral costs of our astonishing military technology. This promises to be an unforgettable theatrical event, and an important addition to our national conversation."

The creative team behind Grounded features scenic design by Riccardo Hernandez, lighting by Christopher Akerlind, sound design by Will Pickens, production design by Peter Nigrini, and original music and soundscapes by Elliot Goldenthal.

Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

Anne Hathaway last appeared on the New York stage in the Public Theater's 2009 Shakespeare in the Park production of 'Twelfth Night' as Viola at the Delacorte Theater. She won an Oscar for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in 2013 for her portrayal of Fantine in the film adaptation of 'Les Misérables,' which also earned her a Golden Globe and BAFTA. She also earned an Oscar nomination in 2009 for 'Rachel Getting Married.' Other notable screen credits include the role of Catwoman in 'The Dark Knight Rises,' 'The Devil Wears Prada,' 'Interstellar,' 'Love & Other Drugs,' 'Alice in Wonderland,' 'Brokeback Mountain,' and 'The Princess Diaries.'

- by Tom Millward