The Farnsworth Invention: Hank Azaria & Jimmi Simpson to star

Hank Azaria stars as David Sarnoff, and Jimmi Simpson as Philo T. Farnsworth in Aaron Sorkin�s new American play about the advent of television, The Farnsworth Invention, directed by Des McAnuff, opening on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on 14 Nov 2007, following previews from 15 Oct 2007.

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.

Hank Azaria made his Broadeway debut playing Sir Lancelot in Monty Python�s Spamalot, for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical. He also appeared on stage in Sexual Perversity in Chicago (West End, London). Azaria received three Emmy awards for his voice-over work in the animated TV series The Simpsons and one for his role as Mitch Albom in the movie 'Tuesday's with Morrie.'

Jimmi Simpson is making his Broadway debut. He is most best known for his role as Crash in the film Herbie Fully Loaded. His other film credits include Loser; D.E.B.S.; Stay Alive; Seraphim Falls; and David Fincher's Zodiac.

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).

Creative team features choreography by Lisa Shriver, with set design by Klara Zieglerova, costumes by David C. Woolard, lighting by Howell Binkley and sound by Walter Trarbach.

The play will be produced on Broadway by Dodger Properties with Steven Spielberg, Dan Cap Productions, Fred Zollo, Latitude Link and the Pelican Group.

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.

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