War Horse - NT production to play at the Beaumont in 2011

Nick Stafford's adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's book, War Horse, will play on Broadway at the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center, previewing from 17 Mar 2011 and opening on 14 Apr 2011, presented by Lincoln Center Theater and the National Theatre in association with Bob Boyett.

Casting and booking dates will be announced shortly.

War Horse premiered at the National Theatre in Nov 2007, directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris and in association with Handspring Puppet Company.

After two sold-out runs at the National War Horse moved to London's West End in Mar 2009 where it continues to play to capacity houses at the New London Theatre.

The American premiere, which reunites the production's acclaimed London design team, will have scenic design by Rae Smith, puppetry by Basil Jones and Adrian Kohler for Handspring, lighting by Paule Constable, movement and horse choreography by Toby Sedgwick, video by Leo Warner and Mark Grimmer, music by Adrian Sutton, songs by John Tams, and sound design by Christopher Shutt.

War Horse: At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert's beloved horse, is sold to the cavalry and shipped to France. He's soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary odyssey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man's land. But Albert cannot forget Joey and, still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a mission to find him and bring him home.

In addition to War Horse, Michael Morpurgo is the author of over 100 childrens' books. A former teacher, he was awarded a MBE (with his wife) for his service to education and an OBE for service to literature.

Nick Stafford's plays have been produced at such theaters as the National Theatre, RSC and Hampstead Theatre Club. He is the winner of the Dennis Potter Play of the Year Award for his screenplay Pity.

Marianne Elliott (co-director) is Associate Director at the National Theatre where her other productions include 'Saint Joan' (Olivier Award - Best Revival) and 'Pillars of the Community' (Evening Standard Best Director Award). Her other productions include 'Much Ado About Nothing' for the RSC and 'The Little Foxes' for the Donmar Warehouse.

Tom Morris (co-director) is Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic and also an Associate Director at the National Theatre where he co-directed 'Every Good Boy Deserves Favor' and developed 'Coram Boy.' His other credits as a director include 'Oedipus The King,' 'All That Fall' and 'Macbeth' with Corin Redgrave.