Is He Dead? Mark Twain play to open at the Lyceum on 29 Nov 2007 Norbert Leo Butz to star

Complete casting is announced for Is He Dead?, a new comedy by master American novelist and satirist Mark Twain, adapted by David Ives, and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Michael Blakemore, which opens at Broadway�s Lyceum Theatre on 29 Nov 2007, following previews from 8 Nov 2007.

Jeremy Bobb, Marylouise Burke (Into the Woods), Patricia Conolly (Enchanted April), Jenn Gambatese (Tarzan), Tony Award nominee Byron Jennings (Inherit the Wind), Tony Award nominee Michael McGrath (Spamalot), four-time Tony Award nominee John McMartin (Grey Gardens), Tony Award nominee David Pittu (LoveMusik), Bridget Regan and Tom Alan Robbins (The Lion King) will join Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz in the world premiere production.

The 1898 play was discovered by scholar Shelley Fisher Fishkin in an archive of Mark Twain's papers held by the University of California. Bob Boyatt obtained the rights to the play in 2003 and the script was published later that year.

Inspired by the posthumous bidding war that broke out between the United States and France over Jean-Francois Millet�s painting The Angelus, Is He Dead? is a comedy about a group of poor artists who stage the death of their mentor to drive up the price of his paintings. In order for the scheme to succeed, the artists hatch various hilarious plots involving cross-dressing, a full-scale fake funeral, lovers� deceptions, and much more.

The design team for Is He Dead? includes scenic design by Peter J. Davison, costume design by two-time Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz, and lighting design by Tony Award winner Peter Kaczorowski.

Is He Dead? will be produced on Broadway by by Bob Boyett, Roger Berlind, Daryl Roth, Jane Bergere, Bob Bartner and O�Boyle-Stevens.

Ticket prices and shcedule will be announced in the coming weeks.

Norbert Leo Butz (Jean-Francois Millet) was last seen on Broadway when he played Freddy in Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (2005) for which he won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Butz was the original 'Fiyero' in the Broadway production of Wicked. His other Broadway credits include playing Camille Raquin in 'Thou Shalt Not' (2001) - for which he was nominated for a Tony, and Rent.

Jeremy Bobb (Phelim O'Shaughnessy) made his Broadway debut playing 'Doalty' (replacement) in 'Translations' (2007 revival), a role he was previously understudying.

Marylouise Burke (Madame Caron) Broadway credits include: 'Inherit the Wind' (1996 revival) and 'Into the Woods (2002 revival).

Patricia Conolly (Madame Bathilde) many Broadway credits include: 'Coast of Utopia Patrts 1, 2 and 3' (2006,2007), 'Enchanted April' (2003), 'Judgment at Nuremberg' (2001), 'Waiting in the Wings' (1999) and 'The Sound of Music' (1998 revival).

Jenn Gambatese (Marie Leroux) was most recently seen on Broadway as Jane Porter in 'Tarzan' (2006), her other Broadway credits are: 'All Shook Up' (2005), 'Year With Frog and Toad' (2003), 'Hairspray' (2002) and 'Footloose' (1998).

Byron Jennings (Bastien Andre) was most recently seen on Broadway as Rev. Jeremiah Brown in 'Inherit the Wind' (2007). Some of his other Broadway credits include: Heartbreak House (2006), A Touch of the Poet (2005), Twelve Angry Men (2004), Sight Unseen (2004) and Henry IV (2003 revival).

Michael Mcgrath (Agamemnon Buckner) was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance in Spamalot (2005). His Broadway credits also include: 'Wonderful Town' (2003 revival), 'Little Me' (1998 revival), 'Swinging on a Star' (2005), 'The Goodbye Girl' (1993) and 'My Favorite Year' (1992).

John Mcmartin (Papa Leroux) was last seen on Broadway in 'Grey Gardens' (2006). He has been nominated for five Tony Awards: 'Sweet Charity' (1966), 'Don Juan' (1972 revival), 'Show Boat' (1994 revival), 'High society' (1998) and 'Into the Woods' (2002 revival).

David Pittu (Basil Thorpe, Claude Riviere, Charlie, The King of France) as most recently seen on Broadway portraying Bertolt Brecht in 'Lovemusik' (2007), for which he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. His Broadway credits include 'The Coast of Utopa' parts 1, 2 and 3, (2006, 2007), 'Never Gonna Dance' (2003) and 'The Tenth Man' (1989 revival).

Bridget Regan (Cecile Leroux) is making her Broadway debut.

Tom Alan Robbins (Hans von Bismarck) originated the role of Pumbaa in The Lion King, his other Broadway credits include: 'Once Upon a Mattress' (1996 revival), 'Sunset Boulevard' (1994), '3 Penny Opera' (1989 revival), and 'Jerome Robbins' Broadway' (1989).

David Ives Broadway credits include adapting the script for Wonderful Town (2003 revival), writing the book for Dance of the Vampires (2002) and adapting Charles Dickens' David Copperfield for the stage - David Copperfield: Dreams and Nightmares (1996).

Michael Blakemore is the director of Terrence McNally's play Deuce, starring Angela Lansbury and Marian Seldes, which is running on Broadway through to 19 Aug 2007. He is the winner of two Tony Awards, Best Direction of a Musical: Kiss Me, Kate (1999 revival) and Best Direction of a Play: Copenhagen (2000).