Jerry O'Connell Joins Alan Rickman & Lily Rabe in Broadway's SEMINAR

Complete casting has just been announced for two-time Tony Award nominee, Emmy Award and Golden Globe winner Alan Rickman (Private Lives, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, the Harry Potter franchise) making his eagerly-anticipated return to Broadway starring in the World Premiere of SEMINAR, a new play by Pulitzer Prize finalist and Peabody Award winner Theresa Rebeck (Mauritius, The Understudy, Omnium Gatherum, The Family of Mann, Spike Heels, NBC's upcoming TV series "Smash"). The production is directed by acclaimed Obie Award winner Sam Gold (Circle Mirror Transformation, The Aliens, Kin, The Coward) in his Broadway debut.

Joining Mr. Rickman will be film and television star Jerry O'Connell (Jerry Maguire, Stand By Me, "The Defenders," "Crossing Jordan") in his Broadway debut. He also joins the previously-announced Tony Award nominee and two-time Drama Desk Award nominee Lily Rabe (The Merchant of Venice, Steel Magnolias, this summer's lauded A Doll's House at Williamstown) and Obie Award winner and Drama Desk nominee Hamish Linklater (The School for Lies, Twelfth Night, "The New Adventures of Old Christine").

Completing the cast will be actress Hettienne Park (Tony Kushner's The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures at The Public, "The Good Wife").

Jerry O'Connell is perhaps best known to film audiences for his acclaimed performances as Quarterback Frank Cushman in the hit Jerry Maguire and his debut as Vern Tessio in the classic Stand By Me. On television, recent series starring roles include Pete Kaczmarek on the CBS comedic drama "The Defenders" and Detective Woody Hoyt on the NBC hit drama "Crossing Jordan." His many other film and television credits include Scream 2; Obsessed; Can't Hardly Wait; Mission to Mars; Yours, Mine and Ours; Man About Town; "Sliders" and "The ‘60s." SEMINAR marks Mr. O'Connell's Broadway debut.

Hettienne Park appeared Off-Broadway last season in Tony Kushner's The Intelligent Homosexual's Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures at The Public. Her film and television work includes Bride Wars, Year of the Fish, Never Forever, the upcoming Young Adult with Charlize Theron, "Mercy," "The Good Wife" and "Damages." SEMINAR marks Ms. Park's Broadway debut.

Previews will begin on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at The Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street) with an Opening Night set for Sunday, November 20 at 6:30 PM.

In SEMINAR, four aspiring young novelists (Ms. Rabe, Mr. Linklater, Mr. O'Connell and Ms. Park) sign up for private writing classes with Leonard (Mr. Rickman), an international literary figure. Under his recklessly brilliant and unorthodox instruction, some thrive and others flounder, alliances are made and broken, sex is used as a weapon and hearts are unmoored. The wordplay is not the only thing that turns vicious as innocence collides with experience in this biting new comedy.

The production will feature set and costume design by Tony Award nominee and two-time Obie Award winner David Zinn, lighting design by Drama Desk Award nominee Ben Stanton and original music and sound design by two-time Drama Desk Award winner John Gromada.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning tonight, Friday, September 16 at midnight and will be available through internet and phone sales by visiting www.telecharge.com or calling (212) 239-6200.

To buy tickets in person, The Golden Theatre box office (252 West 45th Street) will open on Thursday, October 6. Tickets are $51.50-126.50, with Premium seating also available.

The performance schedule for SEMINAR during previews will be Monday through Saturday evenings at 8PM and Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2PM during previews (please check for holiday week variances). After the November 20 opening, the performance schedule Tuesday through Thursday evenings at 7PM, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8PM, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2PM and Sunday matinees at 3PM.