DEAD POETS SOCIETY, Starring Jason Sudeikis, Opens Tonight Off-Broadway

Classic Stage Company presents Dead Poets Society, a new play based on the beloved 1989 film, starring Jason Sudeikis as John Keating. Performances for Dead Poets Society celebrates its official press opening tonight, November 17, at CSC (136 East 13th Street) and will play a limited engagement extended through Sunday, December 18.

Written by Academy Award winner Tom Schulman, adapted from his screenplay, and directed by John Doyle, Dead Poets Society is set at a rigorous all-boys preparatory school renowned for its ancient traditions, where the unconventional Professor Keating inspires his students to defy conformity, and to live passionately.

The cast of Dead Poets Society also includes Francesca Carpanini, David Garrison, William Hochman, Cody Kostro, Yaron Lotan, Thomas Mann, Zane Pais, Stephen Barker Turner and Bubba Weiler. Scenic design is by Scott Pask, costume design by Ann Hould-Ward, lighting design by Japhy Weideman and sound design by Matt Stine.

John Doyle said, "I'm thrilled that Jason Sudeikis is taking on this iconic role in Dead Poets Society. I felt it important that we find an actor like Jason who brings a fresh perspective, and all at CSC are delighted that he will be joining us for this unique venture."

Watch a trailer for the production below!

Jason Sudeikis (John Keating). Film: Hall Pass, Horrible Bosses 1 & 2, We're the Millers, Sleeping with Other People, Tumbledown, Race, The Angry Birds Movie. Upcoming Film: Colossal, Downsizing, The Book of Love, Kodachrome. TV: "Saturday Night Live," "30 Rock," "Portlandia," "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Eastbound & Down," "The Last Man on Earth," "Son of Zorn."

Tom Schulman (Playwright). Directed The Actors Studio West production of Harold Pinter's The Caretaker. Wrote the movies Dead Poets Society; Honey, I Shrunk the Kids; What About Bob?; Medicine Man; Holy Man; 8 Heads in a Duffel Bag; and Welcome to Mooseport. TV: "The Court" (ABC), Anatomy of Hope (HBO). Upcoming film/TV: Morgan's Summit, "Man Without." Upcoming theater: Sacrilegious, Anthem, Driving School.

John Doyle (Director). CSC: Passion, Allegro, Peer Gynt. Broadway: Sweeney Todd (Tony and Drama Desk Awards, Best Director of a Musical), Company (Tony Award, Best Musical Revival), A Catered Affair (Drama League Award, Best Musical Production), The Visit (Tony nom., Best Musical), The Color Purple (Tony nom., Best Musical Revival). Off-Broadway: Wings (Second Stage); Road Show (Public Theatre); Where's Charley?, Irma La Douce (Encores!). Regional: Kiss Me Kate (Stratford); Caucasian Chalk Circle (ACT); Merrily We Roll Along, The Three Sisters (Cincinnati); Ten Cents a Dance (Williamstown); The Exorcist (LA). In the UK, John has been artistic director of four regional theaters. Numerous credits include: The Gondoliers, Mack and Mabel (West End); A Midsummer Night's Dream (Regent's Park); Oklahoma! (Chichester); Amadeus (Wilton's Music Hall). Opera includes Madama Butterfly (Grange Park), Lucia Di Lammermoor (Houston/La Fenice/ Sydney Opera House), Peter Grimes (Metropolitan Opera, NY), The Rise and Fall of the City of Mahagonny (LA Opera). He directed the feature film Main Street. John is Artistic Director of CSC.

Classic Stage Company (CSC). Now in its 49th Season, CSC is committed to re-imagining classic stories for contemporary audiences. The company has been a home for New York's finest established and emerging artists to grapple with the great works of the world's repertory that speak directly to the issues of today. CSC serves an average of 35,000 audience members annually, including more than 4,000 students through its nationally recognized education programs. Productions have been cited repeatedly by all the major Off-Broadway theater awards including the Obie, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, Drama League, and the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Body of Work.