A TIME TO KILL Begins Previews on Broadway Today

Tony Award-winning playwright Rupert Holmes' stage adaptation of A Time To Kill, based on John Grisham's best-selling novel, begins previews on Broadway today, September 28, 2013, at the John Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street). This new Broadway play holds the distinction of being the first-ever John Grisham property to be adapted for the stage. Ethan McSweeny directs. Sebastian Arcelus, Chike Johnson, Patrick Page, Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins, Emmy Award winner Tom Skerritt, Fred Dalton Thompson, John Douglas Thompson, and Ashley Williams plus Jeffrey M. Bender, Dashiell Eaves, J.R. Horne, John Procaccino, Tijuana Ricks, and Lee Sellars will star. A Time To Kill is produced by Tony Award winner Daryl Roth and Eva Price. Opening night is set for Sunday, October 20, 2013.

A Time to Kill tells the emotionally charged, incendiary story of a young, idealistic lawyer, Jake Brigance, defending a black man, Carl Lee Hailey, for taking the law into his own hands following an unspeakable crime committed against his young daughter. Their small Mississippi town is thrown into upheaval, and Jake finds himself arguing against the formidable district attorney, Rufus Buckley, and under attack from both sides of a racially divided city. This thrilling courtroom drama remains as grippingly relevant today as it was when Grisham's story was first published in 1989.

"For almost a quarter of a century, A Time To Kill has captivated readers with its raw exploration of race, retribution and justice," said John Grisham in a statement. "It was my first book and the first that I have allowed to be adapted for the theatre. Rupert Holmes did an excellent job of translating it from the page to the stage, and I am happy that not only my loyal readers, but a whole new audience will be able to experience this story in Live Theatre. I am looking forward to opening night on Broadway!"

The casting breakdown is as follows: Sebastian Arcelus as Jake Brigance; Jeffrey M. Bender as Deputy Looney; Dashiell Eaves as Pete Willard/DR Musgrove; J.R. Horne as Mr. Pate; Chike Johnson as Ozzie Walls, Patrick Page as Rufus Buckley; Tonya Pinkins as Gwen Hailey; John Procaccino as Drew Tyndale/WT Bass; Tijuana Ricks as Court Reporter; Lee Sellars as Cobb/Rhodeheaver/Grist; Tom Skerritt as Lucien Wilbanks;Fred Dalton Thompson as Judge Noose; John Douglas Thompson as Carl Lee Hailey; and Ashley Williams as Ellen Roark.