Tales from Red Vienna: full cast announced

Manhattan Theatre Club have announced the full cast for their world premiere production of David Grimm's Tales from Red Vienna, directed by Kate Whoriskey, opening at NY City Center Stage I on 18 Mar 2014, following previews from 26 Feb 2014, and running through to 27 Apr 2014.

Joining the previously announced Nina Arianda and Kathleen Chalfant will be Tina Benko, Michael Esper, Michael Goldsmith (Off-Broadway debut) and Lucas Hall.

Tales from Red Vienna: Heléna (Nina Arianda) lost her husband in World War I, and with him, her financial security. Struggling to maintain her way of life, she becomes part of an illicit underworld. Heléna manages to separate her secret life from her public persona - that is until she crosses paths with a man who has the power to expose and ruin her.

Set as an enormous political tide is turning throughout Europe, David Grimm's new work explores the effects of war on women, the circumstances that control their lives and the dreams that set them free.

The creative team includes John Lee Beatty (scenic design), Anita Yavich (costume design), Peter Kaczorowski (lighting design), Rob Milburn &Michael Bodeen (sound design) and Thomas Schall (fight direction).

Bios

Nina Arianda (Heléna) won a 2012 Tony Award for her portayal of 'Vanda' in Manhattan Theatre Club's production of David Ives' 'Venus in Fur,' and was nominated for a Tony Award for her performance as 'Billie Dawn' in 'Born Yesterday.' Her film work includes "The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby," "Lucky Them," "Tower Heist," "Midnight in Paris" and "Win Win."

Tina Benko (Mutzi Von Fessendorf) has appeared Off-Broadway in 'Jackie' (Lucille Lortel-nomination), 'Marie and Bruce,' 'The Little Foxes,' 'Restoration,' 'The Age of Iron,' 'The False Servant' and 'Wintertime.' She has understudied lead roles on Broadway in 'Irena's Vow,' 'Top Girls,' 'A Day in the Death of Joe Egg' and 'Hedda Gabler.' She recently won a St. Clair Bayfield Award for her role as Titania in Julie Taymor's A Midsummer Night's Dream at Theatre for a New Audience.

Kathleen Chalfant (Edda Schmidt) was nominated for a Tony Award for work in the original production of the 'Angels in America' trilogy. Off-Broadway she won a Lucille Lortel Award and Obie Award for her portrayal of 'Vivian Bearing' in Margaret Edson's 'Wit.' She was last seen off-Broadway in the Vineyard's production of 'Somewhere Fun.' Her TV awork includes "House of Cards," "Rescue Me," "The Guardian," and on film she has appeared in "Duplicity," "The Last New Yorker," "Perfect Stranger" and many others.

Michael Esper (Bela Hoyos) as appeared on Broadway in 'The Lyons,' 'American Idiot' and 'A Man for All Seasons.' His Off-Broadway credits include 'Assistance,' 'The Lyons,' 'The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism With a Key to the Scriptures' and 'The Four of Us'

Lucas Hall's (Karl Hupka) Off-Broadway credits are 'Beyond the Horizon,' 'Othello' and 'All's Well That Ends Well.'

Michael Goldsmith (Rudy Zuckermaier) is making his Off-Broadway debut. In London he has starred in West End productions of 'Clybourne Park' (Wyndham's Theatre) and 'Six Degrees of Separation' (The Old Vic).

David Grimm (playwright) is currently writing the book for the Broadway musical 'Manhattan Madness,' with music by Harry Connick, Jr., to be directed by George C. Wolfe. His plays include: 'The Miracle at Naples' (Huntington; Best New Play IRNE Award); 'Steve & Idi' (Rattlestick); 'Chick' (Hartford Stage); 'Measure for Pleasure' (Public Theatre; Bug 'n Bub Award; GLAAD Award nomination); 'The Learned Ladies of Park Avenue' (Hartford Stage); 'Kit Marlowe' (Public Theatre; GLAAD Award nomination); 'Sheridan, or Schooled in Scandal' (La Jolla); 'Enough Rope' (Williamstown; which starred Elaine Stritch).

Kate Whoriskey (Directed), made her Broadway debut when she helmed the 2010 revival of 'The Miracle Worker.' Off-Broadway: 'How I Learned to Drive,' 'Inked Baby,' 'Ruined' (lucille Lortel nomination), 'Oroonoko' and 'Fabulation, or the Re-Education of Undine.'