Ivanov: Joely Richardson to play Anna

Classic Stage Company (CSC) have announced that Joely Richardson has joined the cast of their upcoming production of Anton Chekhov's Ivanov, starring Ethan Hawke and directed by Austin Pendleton.

The production, which is the first show of the company's 45th Anniversary Season, will open at the CSC on 4 Nov 2012, following previews from 17 Oct 2012, and play through to 25 Nov 2012

Hawke, in the title role of Ivanov, and Richardson, who will play' Anna, 'will be joined by Glenn Fitzgerald (Borkin), Roberta Maxwell (Zinaida), George Morfogen (Shabelsky), Juliet Rylance (Sasha), Jonathan Marc Sherman (Lvov) and Louis Zorich (Lebedev).

Once a man of limitless promise, Ivanov is plunged into debt. His marriage is in crisis, and his evenings are spent negotiating loans, avoiding love affairs and fighting to resist the small town jealousies and intrigues which threaten to engulf his life.

Translated by Carol Rocamora, the creative team will feature set design by Santo Loquasto, costumes by Marco Piemon, lighting by Keith Parham and sound by Ryan Rumery.

Following Ivanov CSC's season continues in Feb 2013 with Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's Tony Award-winning Best Musical 'Passion,' featuring Judy Kuhn and Melissa Errico, and directed by Tony Award-winner John Doyle.

CSC's Mainstage season will end in May 2013 with Bertolt Brecht's 'The Caucasian Chalk Circle,' featuring a new score by Tony Award-winning singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening) and direction by Brian Kulick.

Bios:

Glenn Fitzgerald (Borkin) was nominated for a 2001 Lucille Award for his role as 'Jeff' in the Off-Broadway production of Kenneth Lonergan's 'Lobby Hero.' Other Off-Broadway credits include: 'This,' 'Hedda Gabler,' 'Blue/Orange' and 'Mizlansky/Zilinsky (or Schmucks).' TV includes: "Dirty Sexy Money" and "Six Feet Under." Films inlude: "40 Days and 40 Nights." 'Tully,' 'Finding Forrester' and 'The Sixth Sense.'

Ethan Hawke (Ivanov) was nominated for a Tony Award for his portrayal of 'Michael Bakunin,' in Tom Stoppard's trilogy 'The Coast of Utopia.' Other Broaway credits include 'Henry IV' and 'The Seagull.' Off-Broadway hew won a 2011 Obie Award for his role as 'Travis' in Tommy Nohilly's 'Blood from a Stone,' and was nominated for a 2005 Lucille Lortel for his role as 'Eddie' in David Rabe's 'Hurlyburly.' Hawke was nominated for a 2005 Academy Award for his portrayal of "Jesse" in the movie "Before Sunset." Other movie credits include "Training Day", "ad Poets Society " and "Gattaca."

Roberta Maxwell's (Zinaida) Broadway credits include 'Our Town,' 'Equus,' 'Othello' and 'King Henry V.' Off-Broadway Maxwell has won two Obie Awards: The first for her role as 'Betty Carney' in the 1969 production of Thomas Murphy's 'A Whistle in the Dark,' and second in 1977, for her role as 'Anne' in the 1977 production of David Rudkin's 'Ashes.' Recent Off-Broadway credits include "Three Sisters" and "The Cherry Orchard." TV credits: "Liberty! The American Revolution" and "Air Waves." Films include: "All My Children," "Philadelphia" and "Dead Man Walking."

George Morfogen (Shabelsky) Broadway credits include 'A Man for All Seasons,' 'Fortune's Fool,' 'An Inspector Calls,' 'Arms and the Man' and 'Kingdoms.' Off-Broadway credits include 'Three Sisters,' 'The Forest,' 'Uncle Vanya' and 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' - all CSC production. He is most probably best known for his role as "Bob Rebadow" in the TV series "Oz." Film credits include: "The Marconi Bros," "Charlie Hoboken," "The Substance of Fire" and "Twenty Bucks."

Joely Richardson's (Anna) has previously appeared Off-Broadway in 'Side Effects' and 'Madame Melville.' Her TV work include: "The Tudors," "Nip/Tuck," "The Day of the Triffids" and "Lady Chatterley." Film credits include: "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo," "The Patriot," "Anonymous" and "The Last Mimzy."

Juliet Rylance (Sasha) was nominated for a 2009 Lucille Lortel Award for her role as 'Desdemon,' in Theatre for a New Audience's production of 'Othello.' Her other Off-Broadway credits are the CSC productions of "Three Sisters" and "The Cherry Orchard." Her film credits are "Sinister" and "Animal."

Jonathan Marc Sherman (Lvov) is both an actor and a playwright. His plays produced Off-Broadway include 'Knickerbocker,' 'Things We Want,' 'Evolution,' 'Wonderful Time' and 'Sophistry' in which he also starred. Films include: "The Hottest State," "The Limbo Room," "The Baxter" and "The Jimmy Show."

Louis Zorich (Lebedev) was nominated for a 1969 Tony Award for his role as 'Cardinal Ragna' in Peter Luke's 'Hadrian VII.' Other Broadway credits include 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' '45 Seconds From Broadway,' 'Follies,' 'She Loves Me' and 'The Marriage of Figaro.' Recent Off-Broadway credits include 'Three Sisters' and 'Uncle Vanya' - both CSC productions. TV credits: "Mad About You," "Mad About You," "Ryan's Hope" and "Hudson's Bay." Film credits include: "A Bird of the Air," "Detachment," "Death of a Salesman" and "Fiddler on the Roof."