Defiance to star Stephen Lang

Manhattan Theatre Club have announced that Stephen Lang will play the role of Colonel Littlefield in the world premiere of John Patrick Shanley's Defiance, to be directed by Doug Hughes, which will open at the NY City Center's Stage I on the 28 Feb 2006, following previews from the 9 Feb and running through to the 16 Apr 2006.

Defiance is set on a United States Marine Corps base in North Carolina in 1971. Two officers, one black and one white (Lang), are on a collision course over race, women, and the high cost of doing the right thing. The play is about power, love and responsibility � who has it, who wants it, and who deserves it.

Stephen Lang last appeared on Broadway in the revival of Wait Until Dark opposite Quentin Tarantino and Marisa Tomei. He received a Tony Award nomination for his role in Steve Tesich's The Speed of Darkness, directed by Robert Falls and he also originated the role of Colonel Jessip in Aaron Sorkin�s A Few Good Men. His feature film credits include Tombstone, Gettysburg, Last Exit to Brooklyn, and Gods and Generals. A longtime member of the Actors Studio, he made his debut as a writer and director in his one-man show Beyond Glory.

Additional casting will be announced at a future date.

The design team for Defiance will feature: John Lee Beatty (Set Design), Catherine Zuber (Costume Design), Pat Collins (Lighting Design), David Van Tieghem (Sound Design and Original Music).

John Patrick Shanley (playwright) and Doug Hughes (director) previously collaborated on Doubt, which premiered at New York City Center � Stage I during MTC�s 2004-2005 season. Doubt subsequently transferred to Broadway�s Walter Kerr Theatre, and won the Pulitzer Prize and four Tony Awards, including Best Play and Best Director.