Mendes to Helm RICHARD III as Bridge Project's Finale Production at BAM in 2010; Spacey Stars

Tony Award winner Kevin Spacey (A Moon for the Misbegotten, The Iceman Cometh), celebrated actor and Artistic Director of The Old Vic, will star in the title role of Richard III for the final season of The Bridge Project. Following two critically acclaimed years, The Bridge Project will again be directed by Academy Award winner Sam Mendes with whom Spacey worked on the film American Beauty, for which they both won BAFTA and Academy Awards. The Bridge Project is a unique three-year series of co-productions by BAM, The Old Vic, and Neal Street, devoted to producing large-scale, classical theater for international audiences.

Richard III begins its international journey in New York, opening at the BAM Harvey Theater in February 2012, followed by a brief international tour until its London opening at The Old Vic in May 2012. The company then embarks on a more extensive world tour from the end of August through October 2012. While The Bridge Project remains a three-year endeavor, adjusting the calendar to 2012 allows time to implement a more ambitious international tour with a larger company. The full company will again be drawn from leading American and British actors, with complete casting to be announced closer to the date.

Commenting on the 2012 season, Sam Mendes says: "I am absolutely delighted to be working with Kevin again for the first time since American Beauty, and I am doubly thrilled that he will be leading year three of The Bridge Project. Richard III is a play I love, and a role I think Kevin is born to play. I'm also thrilled that the partnership between our three entities has strengthened and blossomed over the course of this venture, along with a host of invaluable international partnerships that have enabled us to extend the reach of global touring year after year."

Artistic Director of The Old Vic Kevin Spacey, who plays Richard III, says:
"Sam, Joe, and I are so excited to announce this production. Sam is one of the finest directors I have had the pleasure to work with and to gain this opportunity is beyond my wildest hopes. I love Sam's perspective on a role, carving and shaping the actor. With such a remarkable character before me I have a feeling this one is going to be a memorable experience. It is also my hope to bring a comprehensive educational program and opportunities for emerging artists along with our travels, making an argument for The Living Theater in all the major cities we will visit throughout 2012. We're delighted that Bank of America has come on board for another season as our sponsor and I applaud its continued support for our work."

BAM Executive Producer Joseph V. Melillo says: "Producing The Bridge Project in association with my counterparts at Neal Street and The Old Vic has been one of the highlights of my professional career. To conclude this extraordinary enterprise with Kevin Spacey performing one of Shakespeare's most iconic roles under the direction of Sam Mendes gives new meaning to going out on a high note. It speaks so directly to the aims of The Bridge Project to have Kevin anchor the transatlantic cast: an American actor of the highest caliber who is also the head of one of London's most important theaters.

"The fact that Richard III will be at BAM during our celebration of the institution's 150th anniversary makes an already momentous occasion feel even more significant. The Bridge Project inaugurated a new phase for BAM of producing work on a global scale, and it is exhilarating that the artistic excellence that Sam has delivered in the previous two seasons will be part of an even more ambitious tour in the third year."

Rena DeSisto, global arts and culture executive, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, says: "Our partnership with The Bridge Project has been a most beneficial one and we are delighted to collaborate on plans to expand its international reach. With the draw of Kevin Spacey in this classic role, this program has the power to engage audiences throughout the world in a common cultural experience, an opportunity that our company is passionate about."

The producers gratefully acknowledge Actors' Equity Association and UK Equity for their assistance of The Bridge Project.

NEW YORK AND LONDON PERFORMANCES IN 2012: BAM, New York February - April (tickets on sale Fall 2011) The Old Vic, London May - Aug (tickets on sale Summer 2011)

Bank of America is the proud Presenting Sponsor of The Bridge Project. Leadership support for The Bridge Project is provided by The Stavros Niarchos Foundation.

Bridge Project Production Partners: Celia Atkin, John & Samantha Hunt, Sharon E. Karmazin, Donald R. Mullen Jr., The Laura Pels International Foundation, Tony Randall Theatrical Fund, Jon & NoraLee Sedmak, Carol & Ian Sellars, Scott & Kathleen Simpson, Peregrine Whittlesey, and Barbara & David Zalaznick.

Major support for theater at BAM is provided by The Fan Fox & Leslie R. Samuels Foundation, Inc., The Shubert Foundation, Inc., The SHS Foundation, and The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation, with additional support from the Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Rose M. Badgeley Residuary Charitable Trust, and Gary Lynch & Kate Hall.

Programming in the BAM Harvey Theater is endowed by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.