Exit The King: revival reported to open in Spring, starring Geoffrey Rush and Susan Sarandon

The New York Post reports that Australia's Company B and Malthouse Theater production of Eugene Ionesco' absurdist comedy, Exit The King, in a new translation by Neil Armfield and Geoffrey Rush, will play a limited 20 week engagement at Broadway's Barrymore Theatre in the spring, after Speed-the-Plow ends its limited run.

In Exit The King, the heaters aren�t working, the sun won�t rise, the throne room�s filthy and there�s a great big crack opening up in the wall. Queen Marguerite is making preparations for the inevitable, but Queen Marie refuses to accept it�s time. Yet the signs are unmistakeable: King Berenger is dying. And he�s not going to go gracefully.

The comedy had its premiere at Melbourne's Malthouse Theatre in Mar 2007, and went on to play at Sydney's Belvoir St Theatre in June of the same year. The production was directed by Neil Armfield and starred Geoffrey Rush as 'King Berenger.'

The show opened to critical acclaim: "Magnificent Production... the adaptability and ease of Rush's performance is staggering" (Sydney Morning Herald); "Rush... is extraordinary at every turn... a landmark production in the history of theatre in this country" (Financial Review); "Nothing can be faulted - this is a triumph." (Australian Stage); "A production that's triumphant on many levels." (Variety).

The Broadway production will once again be helmed by Neil Armfield and will see Geoffrey Rush reprise his role as 'King Berenger.' Susan Sarandon will make her Broadway debut when she joins the production, playing the role of 'Queen Marguerite.'

Geoffrey Rush has been appearing regurlarly on stage in Australia since 1970. His recent stage credits include 'Diary of a Madman,' 'Life X 3,' 'The Popular Mechanicals,' 'The Alchemist,' 'Hamlet.' He won an Oscar in 1997 for his work in the film 'Shine,' and a Bafta for the movie 'Elizabeth.' However, he is most probably most famous for his role as 'Captain Hector Barbossa ' in all three of the 'Pirates of the Caribbean' films. He was awarded an Emmy for his work in the mini-series 'The Life and Death of Peter Sellers.'

Susan Sarandon will be making her first Broadway appearance since her debut in the short lived 'An Evening With Richard Nixon and...' (1972). Sarandon won an Academy Award for her role as 'Sister Helen Prejean' in 'Dead Man Walking' and awarded a BAFTA for Best Actress for her work in 'The Client.' Other films include 'Atlantic City, Thelma & Louise and Lorenzo's Oil.'

There has been no official confirmation of the production.