The Female of the Species: Annette Bening to star in new play by Joanna Murray-Smith

Annette Bening will return to Broadway, after a 20 year absence, in The Female of the Species, a new comedy written by Australian plawright Joanna Murray-Smith which will be directed by 2007 Tony Award winner Michael Mayer.

The comedy will open on Broadway 28 Apr 2008, following previews from 11 Apr at a theatre to be announce.

In a report in the New York Times Bening said about her upcoming Broadway appearance, �Its hard to find new plays. There are classics and other things I�m interested in doing, but to find a new play � that�s a joy.�

Bening told the New York Times that she was attracted to The Female of the Species because �it�s very smart, its about something serious, but it�s also got a lot of comedy in it.�

Michael Mayer told the paper that he and Bening had often discussed working together - �Over the years we�ve done this dance together of trying to find something to do. When I read the play, I had her in my mind reading it,� Mayer said. �It�s a beautiful part for her.�

The Female of the Species: Margot Mason (Annette Bening) is a feminist literary giant suffering an extreme case of writer�s block as deadline after deadline comes and goes on her next book. When a young fan arrives unexpectedly at her country home, Margot's world slowly and comically begins to unravel as family and friends show up and debate the virtues of her best-sellers, her inconsistent world view, and her decidedly un-motherly touch.

The Female of the Species is being produced on Broadway by David Richenthal and Mary Beth O�Connor, in association with Los Angeles�s Geffen Playhouse where the play will have its American premiere from 5 Feb - 16 Mar 2008 in a pre-Broadway engagement.

Annette Bening has made only one other Broadway appearance, playing Holly Dancer in Costal Disturbances (1987) for which she received a Tony Award nomination. Her Los Angeles theatre credits include The Cherry Orchard (Center Theater Group), Alan Bennett�s Talking Heads (Tiffany Theater), and Hedda Gabler (Geffen Playhouse). Bening�s many film credits include Running With Scissors, Being Julia (Golden Globe Award,) and American Beauty (BAFTA award).

The Female of the Species will be Joanna Murray-Smith's (playwright) second play produced on Broadway. Her first Broadway play was Honor, which played at the Belasco Theatre in 1998 and starred Jane Alexander. The play was also produced on London's West End with Diana Rigg, and at the National Theatre with Eileen Atkins. Murray-Smith's other plays include Bombshells, Rapture, Nightfall, Redemption and Love Child. Her novels include Truce, Judgement Rock and Sunnyside.

Michael Mayer received the 2007 Tony Award for best director of a musical for Spring Awakening (2006). His other Broadway credits include �night, Mother (2004 revival), After the Fall (2004 revival); Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002); An Almost Holy Picture (2002); Uncle Vanya (2002 revival); You�re a Good Man, Charlie Brown (1999 revival).