Stalag 17: Spike Lee to direct

In a interview with the New York Times film director Spike Lee revealed that he will be making his theatrical debut directing a Broadway revival of the comic-drama Stalag 17 - about prisoners of war in a German camp - written by Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski. The play is expectd to arrive on Broadway in the Spring of 2008, at a theatre to be announced.

Spike Lee, who told the New York Times that he "recall the last play he attended" a play, that he had entertained th idea of doing staged work, but never acted upon it until he received a request from producer Michael Abbott to stage his planned Boadway revival of Stalag 17. Lee initially ignored the request, but after persistent requests from Abbott finally relented.

Lee, told Abbott he would accept on the condition that he be allowed to have his own way in stageing the production. Lee said �I just don�t want to do the old okey-doke thing, dust off some old piece and make a revival. If I�m going to make this venture, this debut to the stage, I have to try to come up with some things that are going to make it interesting for me.�

According to the article Lee "wants the cast to be multiracial and the interactions among prisoners to be more authentic, meaning, he said, more profanity than appears in the script and, perhaps, hints that the relationships between prisoners of war could at times be intimate more than just collegial.". The article says they have still to approach the play's author Donald Bevan (Edmund Trzcinski died in 1996) about the changes, but according to producer Abbot "Bevan knew that the production would have a different feel from the original."

After agreeing to direct the revival, Lee invited Broadway director George C. Wolfe to lunch to ask his advice, Wolf's responce was "Casting, casting, casting." Lee is seeking a 'big name' to cast for the show's leading role 'J.J. Sefton', and he appears to be looking towards Hollywood. Rumours are that British actor Clive Owen may be offered the part, Owen's film credits include: 'King Arthur', 'Closer', 'Derailed', 'Beyond Borders'.

Stalag 17: When two escaping American World War II prisoners are killed, the German POW camp barracks black marketeer, J.J. Sefton, is suspected of being an informer.

Stalag 17 originally played Broadway in 1951 at the 48th Street Theatre, directed by Jos� Ferrer, who won the 1952 Tony Award for Best Director for his work. John Ericson played J.J. Sefton.

The stage play was later made into a film released in 1953 by Paramount Pictures, directed by Billy Wilder. Actor William Holden won a 1954 Academy Award for his role as J.J. Sefton.