Anna Christie: Is Jude Law returning to Broadway?

Michael Riedel of the New York Post reports that Jude Law will return to Broadway in 2012 starring in the Donmar Warehouse production of Eugene O'Neill's classic drama, Anna Christie. There has been no official confirmation.

Directed by Rob Ashford, the production is currently playing at London's Donmar Warehouse where it officially opened on 9 Aug 2011 and is running through to 8 Oct 2011.

The London production stars Jude Law (Mat Burke), Ruth Wilson (Anna Christie), Jenny Galloway (Marthy), Paul Brightwell (Johnny-The-Priest/Johnson), David Hayman (Chris Christofferson), Robert Lonsdale (Postman), Henry Pettigrew (Larry), Michael Walters (First Longshoreman) and Matt Wilman (Second Longshoreman).

Along with Jude Law (Mat Burke), it is expected that principal cast members Ruth Wilson (Anna Christie) and David Hayman (Chris Christofferson) will also reprise their work for Broadway.

This will be Jude Law's third outing on Broadway. Law earned Tony nominations for his previous appearances as 'Michael' in 'Indiscretions,' and in the lead role in the 2009 revival of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet,' which also began life at London's Donmar Warehouse.

Law's many films include "The Talented Mr. Ripley" and "Cold Mountain" for which he was nominated for Academy Awards', as well as "Sherlock Holmes," "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus," "All the King's Men," "The Aviator" and "Alfie."

Anna Christie opened at London's Donmar Warehouse to mostly excellent reviews: Superb production (Michael Billington for The Guardian); The Donmar does this sometimes creaky play proud (Charles Spencer for The Daily Telegraph); Another dazzling affirmation of his [Jude law] riveting abilities as an actor (Mark Shenton for The Stage); Pitch-perfect revival (Paul Taylor for The Independent.)

The Donmar Warehouse only has 252 seats and so, as one would expect of a short run in a venue with limited seating capacity that stars Jude Law, the show quickly sold out.

Eugene O'Neill's 1922 Pulitzer Prize for Drama Anna Christie tells the story of 'Anna Christie.' The Donmar Warehouse describes the play as being "About love and forgiveness charts one woman's longing to forget the dark secrets of her past and hope for salvation."

"Exiled from her home by the Old Devil Sea to the inland plains, Anna Christie's life changed forever at just five years of age. Fifteen years later, she is reunited with the father who sent her away and sets sail in search of a new beginning."

Anna Christie was first performed on Broadway in 1921, and was revived in 1952, 1997 and 1993.

The Roundabout's 1993 revival starred Natasha Richardson as 'Anna' and Liam Neeson as her lover 'Mat Burke.' That production won the 1993 Tony Award for Best Revival and earned both actors Tony nominations.

The 1993 revival began a back scene romance that, during its three month run, saw Natasha Richardson leave her then husband, Robert Fox, for Liam Neeson: the couple married in 1994. Sadly Neeson was widowed when Richardson died in Mar 2009, aged 45, following a skiing accident.

Jude Law as 'Mat Burke' in the Donmar Warehouse production of Anna Christie

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