My Name is Asher Lev: cast announced

The complete cast has been announced for Aaron Posner's new play My Name is Asher Lev, based on the novel by Chaim Potok (The Chosen), opening at the Westside Theatre on 28 Nov 2012, following previews from 8 Nov 2012, and playing through to 3 Mar 2013.

The play's New York premiere follows an engagement at the Long Wharf Theatre earlier this year.

Ari Brand, who played 'Asher Lev' in the Long Wharf production, will recreate the title role off-Broadway. He is joined by Mark Nelson as 'Ari Lev' and Jenny Bacon as 'Riv Lev.'

Nelson's Broadway credits includ 'After The Fall,' 'The Invention of Love,' 'A Few Good Men.' Off-Broadway he received an Obie Award for his role as 'Albert Einstein' in 'Picasso at the Lapin Agile.'

Bacon's off-Broadway credits include 'Heartless,' 'In the Wake,' 'Omnium Gatherum,' 'A Streetcar Named Desire' and 'The Arabian Nights.'

Set in post-war Brooklyn, My Name is Asher Lev tells the story of Asher Lev (Ari Brand), a boy prodigy who must paint at any cost - against the will of family, community and tradition.

Led by director Gordon Edelstein, artistic director of the Long Wharf Theater, the creative team includes set design by Eugene Lee, lighting design by James F. Ingalls, costume design by Ilona Somogyi and original music/sound design by John Gromada.