Is He Dead? resumes performances, opening night now set for 9 Dec

The world premiere production of 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, resumes performances on Thu, 29 November 2007 at the Lyceum Theatre.

The comedy, which began previews on 8 Nov 2007, was originally scheduled to open on 29 Nov 2007, but due to the recent strike on Broadway the opening is now set for 9 Dec 2007.

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 cast for Is He Dead? features Norbert Leo Butz, Jeremy Bobb, Marylouise Burke , Patricia Conolly, Jenn Gambatese, Tony Award nominee Byron Jennings, Tony Award nominee Michael McGrath, John McMartin, David Pittu, Bridget Regan, Tom Alan Robbins.

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.