Ambrose and Isaac Set for Public Theater Romeo and Juliet

Lauren Ambrose, the "Six Feet Under" star who made her Broadway debut in Awake and Sing! last year, will star with Oscar Isaac in the title roles of the Public Theater's upcoming Romeo and Juliet.

As previously announced, Michael Greif (Grey Gardens, Rent) will direct the production of Shakespeare's classic romantic tragedy, which will run from June 5th through July 8th at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.  Romeo and Juliet is, of course, the tale of two star-crossed lovers from feuding families.

In addition to "Six Feet Under," on which she played Claire Fisher, Ambrose has been seen in such films as Swimming, Psycho Beach Party and Can't Hardly Wait, as well as on "Party of Five" and "Law & Order."  She also appeared on the London stage in Buried Child.  Isaac has been seen at Shakespeare in the Park in the recent Public Theatre revival of the musical Two Gentlemen of Verona, as well as in The Beauty of the Father.  He has been seen on screen in All About the Benjamins, The Half Life of Timothy Berezin, The Nativity Story and more.

In addition, it was announced that Daniel Sullivan (Prelude to a Kiss, Rabbit Hole) will helm a new Shakespeare in the Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, which will run at the Delacorte from August 7th through September 9th.  No casting has been announced.

"Last year, 'War in Central Park' used Brecht and Shakespeare to reflect the bleak state of our current politics. This summer, we will look at the most powerful healing force humans have: the power of love. Two thousand and seven is the fortieth anniversary of the Summer of Love, and we hope to revisit the utopian and joyous impulses of that era through the medium of two of the greatest of Shakespeare's plays, Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night's Dream," said Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis.

Visit www.publictheater.org for more information.

Photo of Lauren Ambrose by Ben Strothmann