To Be or Not To Be: David Rasche replaces Craig Bierko

David Rasche replaces Craig Bierko in the Manhattan Theatre Club's (MTC) world premiere production of Nick Whitby�s To Be Or Not To Be, the first production of MTC�s 2008-2009 season.

Craig Bierko has withdrawn from the production, director Casey Nicholaw said, "Craig is a gifted actor and although he will be missed, I look forward to the possibility of working with him again in the future."

Manhattan Theatre Club executive producer Barry Grove and acting artistic director Daniel Sullivan added, "We respect Craig's decision to leave the production."

David Rasche's Broadway credits include: 'Getting and Spending' (1998), 'Speed-the-Plow ' (1988), 'Lunch Hour' (1980) and 'The Shadow Box' (1977). Off-Broadway he has played in MTC productions of 'Regrets Only,' 'Moonlight and Magnolias,' 'Five By Tenn' and 'Last Dance.' He recently appeared off-Broadway in the Classic Stage Company's production of 'The Seagull.'

This is the second cast change in five days, on 20 Aug 2008 it was announced that Peter Maloney had replaced Brian Murray in the role of 'Dowasz.'

Rasche joins a cast that also features Peter Benson, Robert Dorfman, Steve Kazee, Jan Maxwell, Michael McCarty, Kristine Nielsen, Brandon Perler, Rocco Sisto, Jimmy Smagula and Marina Squerciati. Three-time Tony Award nominee Casey Nicholaw (The Drowsy Chaperone, Monty Python�s Spamalot) directs.

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.

The comedy, based on the 1942 motion picture To Be Or Not To Be is set at the Polski Theatre in 1939 Warsaw, where Josef and Maria Tura 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).