To Be or Not To Be announces full cast

The Manhattan Theatre Club have announced the full cast for their upcoming world premiere production of Nick Whitby�s To Be Or Not To Be.

The play, based on the 1942 motion picture 'To Be or Not To Be,' will be directed by three-time Tony Award nominee Casey Nicholaw (The Drowsy Chaperone, Monty Python�s Spamalot).

The show will feature Peter Benson, Craig Bierko, Robert Dorfman, Steve Kazee, Jan Maxwell, Michael McCarty, Brian Murray, Kristine Nielsen, Brandon Perler, Rocco Sisto, Jimmy Smagula and Marina Squerciati.

To Be Or Not To Be will be the first production of Manhattan Theatre Club�s 2008-2009 season. The limited engagement will open at the Biltmore Theatre (soon to be renamed Samuel J. Friedman Theatre) on 2 Oct 2008, following previews from 11 Sep, and running through to 23 Nov 2008.

To Be Or Not To Be: At the Polski Theatre in 1939 Warsaw, Josef (Bierko) and Maria Tura (Maxwell) are about to open yet another smash with their theatrical troupe. As the German invasion gets underway, the theatre is closed by the censors, forcing the troupe to face desperate times. But when a handsome young bomber pilot enlists their help to catch a spy, what is a group of actors to do? This hilarious black comedy is an ingenious commentary on the World War II era and an inspired tribute to the timeless joys of the theatre.

The creative team for To Be Or Not To Be will include: Anna Louizos (Scenic Design), Gregg Barnes (Costume Design), Howell Binkley (Lighting Design) and Darron L West (Sound Design).

In 2003, MTC reopened Broadway�s landmark, long-neglected Biltmore Theatre, soon to be renamed the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, following a two-year, $35 million capital campaign. In addition, MTC operates two theatres at New York City Center (131 West 55th Street), its Off-Broadway home since 1984.

Peter Benson's (Rowicz) Broadway credits include 'The Pajama Game' (2006 revival), 'Wonderful Town' (2003 revival), 'Little Me' (1998 revival), 'Cabaret' (1998), 'An American Daughter' (1997) and 'State Fair' (1996).

Craig Bierko's (Josef) Broadway credits include 'Thou Shalt Not' (2001) and 'The Music Man' (2000 revival).

Robert Dorfman's (Grunberg/ Magician) Broadway credits include 'The Lion King' (1997) and 'Social Security' (1986).

Steve Kazee's (Sobinsky) Broadway credits include '110 in the Shade' (2007) and Spamalot.

Jan Maxwell's (Maria) Broadway credits include 'Coram Boy' (2007), 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' (2005), 'Sixteen Wounded' (2004), 'Match' (2004), 'The Dinner Party' (2000), 'The Sound of Music' (1998 revival), 'A Doll's House' (1997 revival), 'Dancing at Lughnasa' (1991) and 'City of Angels' (1989). Maxwell won a Lucille Lortel Award for her role as 'Chloe Giffard' in the off-Broadway production of 'My Old Lady.'

Michael McCarty's (Colonel Erhard) Broadway credits include Mary Poppins, 'Oklahoma!' (2002 revival), 42nd Street (2001 revival), 'Sweeney Todd' (1989 revival), 'Teddy & Alice' (1987), 'Big River' (1985), Oliver! (1984 revival), Amadeus (1980) and King of Hearts (1978).

Brian Murray (Dowasz) many Broadway credits include 'The Rivals' (2004 revival), 'The Crucible' (2002 revival), 'Uncle Vanya' (2000 revival), 'Twelfth Night' (1998 revival), 'Racing Demon' (1995), 'White Liars & Black Comedy' (1993), 'The Show Off' (1992) revival. Murray made his Broadway debut in 'All in Good Time' (1965). Kristine Nielsen's (Anna) Broadway credits include 'Les Liaisons Dangereuses' (2008 revival), 'A Streetcar Named Desire' (2005 revival), 'The Green Bird' (2000), 'Jackie' (1997) and 'The Iceman Cometh' (1985 revival).

Brandon Perler (Young Grunberg) is making his Broadway debut.

Rocco Sisto's (Silewsky/ Magician�s Assistant) made his Broadway debut in 'A Month in the Country' (1995). Sisto last appeared in New York in Signature Theatre Company's Off-Broadway production of 'Iphigenia 2.0.'

Jimmy Smagula's (Walowski/ Schweinlich) Broadway credits include 'Man of La Mancha' (2002 revival), 'The Full Monty' and The Phantom of the Opera.

Marina Squerciati (Eva) is making his Broadway debut.