Les Liaisons Dangereuses announces full cast
Jessica Collins as "Madame De Tourvel" and Kevin Duda and Jane Pfitsch as "servants" complete the cast for the Broadway revival of Christopher Hampton's dark comedy, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, to be directed by Rufus Norris.
Jessica Collins is making her Broadway debut, off-Broadway she starred in Playwright Horizon's 2005 production of 'Manic Flight Reaction.'
Jane Pfitsch made her Broadway debut when she replaced Heather Laws as 'Amy' in John Dyle's 2006 revival of 'Company'. Pfitsch was recently the understudy for the leading role of pumpgirl in Manhattan Theatre Club's Off-Broadway production which closed on 13 Jan 2008.
Kevin Duda is also making his Broadway debut.
As previously announced Les Liaisons Dangereuses stars Laura Linney as �La Marquise de Merteuil� and Ben Daniels, in his Broadway debut, as �Le Vicomte de Valmont.�
The comedy also features Sian Phillips as �Madame De Rosemonde,� Mamie Gummer as �Cecile Volanges�, Kristine Nielsen as �Madame De Volanges�, Benjamin Walker as �Danceny,� Rosie Benton as �Emile� and Derek Cecil as �Azolan.�
The comedy will open at the American Airlines Theatre on 1 May 2008, following previews from 11 Apr and run through to 29 Jun 2008.
The creative team features Scott Pask (sets), Katrina Lindsay (costumes) and Donald Holder (lighting).
Les Liaisons Dangereuses: For long-time friends and occasional lovers Vicomte de Valmont (Ben Daniels) and Marquise de Merteuil (Laura Linney), love is simply a game of chess. But in a few false moves, they find themselves locked in the ultimate checkmate. Filled with seduction, betrayal, and plenty of illicit passion, this dark comedy paints the pre-Revolutionary French aristocracy in all its cynicism and decadence.
Hampton's play is based on Choderlos de Laclos's novel of the same name. The play was premiered in London by the RSC at the Ambassadors Theatre in 1985 and won the 1986 Olivier Award for best play. It premiered on Broadway in 1987 at the Music Box Theatre, starring Alan Rickman and Lindsay Duncan.
The 1988 film version of Les Liaisons Dangereuses earned Hampton the 1989 Academy Award for best adaptation, and starred John Malkovich and Glenn Close.
Laura Linney (La Marquise de Merteuil) last appeared on Broadway in 'Sight Unseen' (2004). Linney will soon be seen starring alongside Philip Hoffman in the movie 'Savage', which will be released in January 2008. Linney has won two Emmy Awards: 2001 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or a Movie for 'Wild Iris'; 2003 Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for playing 'Charlotte' in 'Frasier'.
Ben Daniels (Le Vicomte de Valmont) will make his Broadway debut in the production. Daniels theatre credits: At London's National Theatre: 'All My Sons' (2001) for which he won the 2001 Olivier Award for Best Supporting Actor, 'Three Sisters' (2003), 'Iphigenia at Aulis' (2004) and 'Therese Raquin' (2006), his work at the Donmar Warehouse includes: 'Tales from Hollywood' (2001) and 'God of Hell' (2005), 'Wild Duck (2005). His television work includes the BBC's 'The State Within' and 'The Virgin Queen.' Daniels may be best known to American audiences for his portrayal of 'Tony' in the 1996 Jonathan Harvey's gay film 'Beautiful Thing'.
Rufus Norris (Director) made his Broadway debut when he helmed 'Festen' (2006). 'Festen' premiered at London's Almeida Theatre with a sell out run (2004). The drama transferred to the West End in 2004 and to Broadway in 2005. Festen won Norris the 2004 Evening Standard Award for Best Director, and saw him nominated for the 2005 Olivier Award for Best Director.
Originally published on