If There Is I Haven't....: Jake Gyllenhaal to star
Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal will make his New York stage debut in the Roundabout Theatre Company's American premiere of Nick Payne's comic drama If There is I Haven't Found It Yet, diretced by Michael Longhurst, opening at the Laura Pels Theatre on 20 Sep 2012, following previews from 24 Aug 2012, and closing on 25 Nov 2012.
Three additional actors and the design team will be announced shortly.
If There is I Haven't Found It Yet: Fifteen-year-old Anna's weight makes her a natural target for bullies. When her mom transfers Anna to the school where she teaches in order to protect her daughter, it only makes things worse. Anna's environmentalist dad, determined to finish his new book and save the planet, is no help at all. Just as Anna gets suspended for retaliating with a head-butt, her estranged uncle Terry (Jake Gyllenhaal) arrives unannounced. A heartbroken drifter with the mouth of a sailor, Terry reaches out to Anna in a way that no one ever has. Their unexpected friendship sends her parents' rocky marriage into a tailspin as the whole family wonders, what--or who--really needs saving?
The Roundabout's artistic director Todd Haimes said of playwright Nick Payne, "He is an exciting young voice in the British Theatre, and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to introduce him to American audiences. I... When I read If There is I Haven't Found It Yet, I knew that not only did Nick have great range as a playwright, but that this was a perfect fit for the Laura Pels Theatre."
Speaking of Jake Gyllenhaal, Todd Haines said, "Jake Gyllenhaal loves this play and the role of Terry, and I couldn't be happier that he has chosen to make his American stage debut with us."
Gyllenhaal made his stage debut starring in Kenneth Lonergan's revival of 'This is Our Youth,' on London's West End. He won a BAFTA for his role as "Jack Twist" in the movie "Brokeback Mountain," for which he was also nominated for an Oscar. His other movie credits include: "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time," "Zodiac," "Proof" and "The Day After Tomorrow."
British director Michael Longhurst is making his New York directorial debut having most recently directed Nick Payne's critically acclaimed play 'Constellations' at London's Royal Court Theatre earlier this year. His other London directional credits include: 'Remembrance Day' at the Royal Court, 'On The Beach' at the Bush Theatre, 'On The Record' at the Arcola and 'dirty butterfly' at the Young Vic.
Jake GyllenhaalOriginally published on