Jeremy Sisto has just joined the cast of Festen, the London stage hit, that will begin previews at Broadway's Music Box Theatre (239 W. 45th St.) on March 23rd for an official press opening on April 9th.
Bill Kenwright and Marla Rubin will present the Almeida Theatre production, which will also star the previously-announced
Larry Bryggman (
Twelve Angry Men, Proof),
Michael Hayden (
Henry IV, Carousel), Ali MacGraw (films such as
Love Story) and
Julianna Margulies ("ER"). Directed by Rufus Norris (who won the Evening Standard and Critic's Circle awards for directing the London production),
Festen will be seen in a dramatization by David Eldridge from the Danish 1998 film.
In
Festen, "a beloved patriarch (Bryggman), surrounded by his wife (MacGraw), his daughter (Margulies), his two sons (Hayden as Christian; Sisto as Michael) and a host of family and friends, is celebrating his 60th birthday at his country home. This promises to be a very special occasion, but as the evening progresses, the man's eldest son, Christian, feels compelled to break the silence surrounding a family secret. Standing to propose a toast, he offers his father - much to the delight of the guests - an amusing yet simple choice. And so the games begin. Revelations and accusations tumble across the dinner table, paving the way for a celebration that no one will ever forget," state press notes.
Sisto, who is perhaps best-known for his work as Billy Chenowith on TV's "Six Feet Under," has appeared in films such as
Thirteen, White Squall, Clueless, Angels Eyes and
Without Limits. His stage work includes acclaimed L.A. productions of
Dead End and
Take Me Out, and he recently appeared in L.A. in
Arms and the Man.In addition to Bryggman, Hayden, MacGraw, Margulies and Sisto, the cast of
Festen will feature John Carter,
Diane Davis,
Keith Davis, David Patrick Kelly, Stephen Kunken,
Carrie Preston,
Christopher Evan Welch and C.J. Wilson.
The Almeida's original creative team for
Festen, led by director Rufus Norris, will reassemble in New York to mount the play on Broadway.
Festen features set design by Ian MacNeil
, costume design by Joan Wadge, lighting by Jean Kalman, original music by Orlando Gough and sound design by Paul Arditti. As well as being nominated for five Laurence Olivier Awards, Norris won the Evening Standard and Critic's Circle Awards for Best Director. Ian MacNeil, Jean Kalman and Paul Arditti won the Evening Standard Award for Best Design.
Vinterberg's
Festen (or
The Celebration, as it was called when released in the U.S.) is the modern movie classic that put the Danish film movement Dogme 95 on the cultural map.
David Eldridge's dramatization
Festen of the Dogme film and play by Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov and Bo Hr. Hansen, received its world premiere at London's Almeida Theatre in March 2004 in association with Marla Rubin. It was subsequently presented by Rubin and Kenwright at the Lyric Theatre in the West End.
Tickets are $95-$75-$30, and will be available through Telecharge, 212-239-6200 or
www.telecharge.com, beginning February 26 (please note: VISA cardholders can begin purchasing tickets on February 12). The Music Box Theatre box office will open on March 6.
