James Franco to Make Directorial Debut for Rattlestick Playwrights Theater's THE LONG SHRIFT

The New York Times reports that James Franco, currently starring in Broadway's 'Of Mice and Men,' will make his theatrical directorial debut for the premiere of Robert Boswell's THE LONG SHRIFT, set to part of the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater's coming 20th anniversary season.

The play follows the story of a recently released prisoner who served time in jail for being accused of rape as a teenager. Performances at the Rattlestick are scheduled from July 7 to Aug. 23.

The 2014-15 season will also feature world premieres of "Pitbulls" by Keith Josef Adkins ("The Last Saint on Sugar Hill"), which is to run from Nov. 6 to Dec. 13, and "Shesh Yak" by Laith Nakli, scheduled for Jan. 15 to Feb. 19. The Rattlestick has also revealed that "Juárez: A Mythology Documentary" by Rubén Polendo, will be included in the second annual Theater: Village festival, which features several new works at various West Village locations which share a playwright or theme.

Actor, director, screenwriter, producer and author Franco currently portray's 'George' in Broadway's 'Of Mice and Men.' He began his career on the cult television program "Freaks and Geeks" and received a Golden Globe Award for playing the title character in the TV biographical film "James Dean." Notable film credits include playing Oz the Great and Powerful, Spring Breakers, "Harry Osborn" in the Spider-Man trilogy, Milk and 127 Hours for which he received an Academy Award, SAG and Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor.