The Book of Grace, world premiere of Suzan Lori-Parks’ play to star Elizabeth Marvel

The Public Theater has announced initial casting today for the world premiere of Suzan-Lori Parks' The Book Of Grace (previously titled Snake). Directed by James Macdonald, Elizabeth Marvel has been cast as 'Grace.' with complete casting to be announced shortly.

The Book Of Grace opens at the Public Theater on 16 Mar 2010, following previews from 2 Mar and runs through to 4 Apr 2010.

In The Book Of Grace Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks (Topdog/Underdog) has drawn a family portrait shattered by issues of rage, revenge, power and betrayal. When a young man returns home to South Texas to confront his father, everyday life erupts into a battle for personal survival. The drama weaves the story of three people bound together by love and longing, passion and ambition.

Currently, Parks is the Master Writer Chair at The Public Theater.

Suzan-Lori Parks (Playwright) plays include '365 Days/365 Plays,' 'Topdog/Underdog '(2002 Pulitzer Prize; Public Theater), 'Fucking A' (Public Theater), 'Imperceptible Mutabilities in the Third Kingdom '(1990 Obie Award for Best New American Play), 'The America Play' (Public Theater), 'Venus' (Public Theater, 1996 Obie Award), 'The Death Of The Last Black Man in the Whole Entire World,' and 'In The Blood' (Public Theater, 2002 Pulitzer Prize finalist), among others. 'Her Father Comes Homes From The Wars' (Parts 1, 8 & 9) premiered at the Public's Public LAB last season.

James McDonald (Director) most recently directed 'Drunk Enough to Say I Love You?' at The Public Theater and 'Top Girls' at Manhattan Theater Club. His other New York credits include Christopher Shinn's 'Dying City' at Lincoln Center and Caryl Churchill's 'A Number' at New York Theater Workshop. His recent London credits include 'The Hour We Knew Nothing Of Each Other' at the National, the West End revival of 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (with Jonathan Pryce) and 'Drunk Enough To Say I Love You?' at the Royal Court. From 1992 to 2006, Macdonald was associate director of the Royal Court.'

Elizabeth MArvel (Grace) last appeared at The Public in Doug Hughes's production of 'Henry V' at Shakespeare in the Park. Her other Public credits include 'Troilus and Cressida,' 'King Lear,' and 'Silence, Cunning, Exile.' She has appeared on Broadway in 'Top Girls,' 'An American Daughter,' 'Taking Sides,' and 'The Seagull.' Her Off-Broadway credits include 'Terrorism '(New Group), 'A Secondhand Memory' (Atlantic Theater Company), 'Hedda Gabler' (Obie Award), 'Lydie Breeze,' 'Alice in Bed,' 'A Streetcar Named Desire' (Obie Award), to name a few.