The Farnsworth Invention: Des McAnuff to direct Aaron Sorkin's new play

Des McAnuff is to direct Aaron Sorkin's new play The Farnsworth Invention, opening on Broadway on 18 Nov 2007, following previews from 15 Oct 2007, at a theatre to be announced.

The Farnsworth Invention uncovers the story behind one of the world's most powerful inventions. In a race that would change humanity forever, two men battle one another for honor, glory and a place in the history books.

In 1920, a young Idaho farmer named Philo dreams of a device that projects images transmitted through the air. Meanwhile, across the country a Russian immigrant named David who has clawed his way out of the shtetl to become a media mogul, dreams of spreading information to the masses using pictures.

Aaron Sorkin is most probably best know as the creator of the Emmy award winning TV political drama 'The West Wing'. He made his Broadway debut with his play 'A Few Good Men' (1989 original), which was later made into a film starring Tom Cruise and Jack Nicholson.

Des McAnuff is currently represented on Broadway by Jersey Boys, for which he was nominated for the 2006 Tony Award for Best direction of a musical. McAnuff has won two Tony's for Best direction of a Musical: Big River (1985) and The Who's Tommy (1993).

The Farnsworth Invention had its world premiere in California, at the La Jolla Playhouse, running from 20 Feb - 25 Mar 2007.

The production was directed by Des McAnuff and starred Stephen Lang (David Sarnoff), Jimmi Simpson (Philo T. Farnsworth) and Alexandra Wilson (Pem Farnsworth). The cast also featured Nadia Bowers, A.J. Ditty, Amy Ellenberger, Kyle Fabel, Maurice Godin, Morgan Thomas Hollingsworth, Brian Howe, Bruce McKenzie, Spencer Moses, Jim Ortlieb, Michael Pemberton, Katharine Powell, Steve Rosen, and James Sutorius.

According to a casting notice some of the roles have been offered to the La Jolla cast, though no casting for the Broadway production is confirmed.

McAnuff was the artistic director of the La Jolla Playhouse from 1983 to 1994. The theatre was presented with the 1993 Tony Award Regional Theatre Award under his tenure.

A number of shows brought to Broadway by McAnuff had their world premiere at the La Jolla: Jersey Boys, 700 Sundays, Dracula and Tommy.

The play will be produced on Broadway by Dodger Theatricals, a production partnership of which McAnuff is a founding member.