Public's production of Rachel Weisz-led Plenty extends

The Public Theater has announced a two-week extension for the first major New York revival of David Hare's Plenty, starring Oscar and Olivier Award winner Rachel Weisz and directed by five-time Tony nominee David Leveaux, at the Public's Newman Theater. Previews begin on 4 October 2016, before an official opening on 20 October and a limited engagement now through to 20 November 2016 (previously 6 November).

Artistic Director Oskar Eustis previously released the following statement:

"Plenty is one of the great plays of the post-war era, and certainly its critical production was one of the high points of The Public Theater's existence. Now, over 30 years later, Plenty is a story of optimism and disillusionment that carries an entirely new power. We are thrilled to be welcoming David Hare back to the theater that was his first American home."

The cast of Plenty includes Rachel Weisz (Susan Traherne), Corey Stoll (Raymond Brock), Pun Bandhu (M. Aung), Ken Barnett (Codename Lazar), Emily Bergl (Alice Park), Dani De Waal (Louise), Mike Iveson (Another Frenchman), Byron Jennings (Leonard Darwin), LeRoy McClain (Mick), Tim Nicolai (John Begley), Paul Niebanck (Sir Andrew Charleson), Ann Sanders (Mme. Aung), Benjamin Thys (A Frenchman), and Liesel Allen Yeager (Dorcas).

The creative team features set design by Mike Britton, costume design by Jess Goldstein, lighting design by David Weiner, original music and sound design by David Van Tieghem, and hair & wig design by Leah J. Loukas.

Plenty originally premiered at The Public's Newman Theater in 1982, directed by Hare himself, and featured a cast which included Edward Herrmann, Kate Nelligan and Kelsey Grammer. The play then transferred to Broadway in 1983, picking up a total of 4 Tony nominations including Best Play. The 1985 film adaptation, directed by Fred Schepisi, received 2 BAFTA nominations (for John Gielgud and Tracey Ullman for their respective supporting roles). Other cast members included Meryl Streep, Sting, Ian McKellen, and Charles Dance.

Rachel Weisz made her Broadway debut, alongside husband Daniel Craig, in the 2013 revival of Harold Pinter's 'Betrayal.' She won an Olivier Award in 2010 for her performance as Blanche Dubois in a revival of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' at the Donmar Warehouse. Her other West End credits include 'Design for Living,' 'Suddenly Last Summer,' and 'The Shape of Things.' She won an Oscar and Golden Globe in 2006 for "The Constant Gardener" (along with a BAFTA nomination) and earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2013 for "The Deep Blue Sea." Other notable screen credits include "The Mummy" franchise, "Youth," "The Lobster," "Oz the Great and Powerful," "The Bourne Legacy," "The Lovely Bones," "The Fountain," "Constantine," and "About a Boy."

- by Tom Millward