'Conversations in Tusculum' Begins Previews 2/19 at The Public

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Mara Manus) will begin previews for Richard Nelson's new history play Conversations in Tusculum on Tuesday, February 19. Directed by Nelson, Conversations in Tusculum will run through Sunday, March 23 with an official press opening on Tuesday, March 11 at 7 PM.

"The country you love and the values it represents are being destroyed by a misguided leader. You can continue to live in relative comfort by not involving yourself, or you can take action to save the democracy you love. Set outside of Rome in the villas and hillsides of Tusculum, Richard Nelson continues his revelatory exploration of history with a new play that chronicles those entangled in Julius Caesar's world of manipulation and power," describe press notes.

The cast of Conversations in Tusculum includes Brian Dennehy as Cicero, Joe Grifasi as Syrus, Aidan Quinn as Brutus, Gloria Reuben as Porcia, David Strathairn as Cassius, and Maria Tucci as Servilia.

Richard Nelson (Playwright/Director) is the recipient of a Tony Award, two other Tony nominations, an Olivier Award for Best Play, another Olivier nomination for Best Comedy, Two Obie Awards, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, a Lortel Award, Time Out/London Award for Best Play, Two Giles Cooper Awards for Best Radio Plays, a Lila Wallace-Readers Digest Writing Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, among others.  His plays includes Frank's Home, Rodney's Wife, Franny's Way, Madame Melville, Goodnight Children Everywhere, The General From America, Left, New England, Misha's Party (with Alexander Gelman),  Columbus and The Discovery of Japan, Two Shakespearean Actors, Some Americans Abroad, Principia Scriptoraie, The Vennia Notes, among many others.  Musicals include Paradise Found (with Hal Prince, Ellen Fitzhugh, Jonathan Tunick), My Life With Albertine (with Ricky Ian Gordon) and The Dead (with Shaun Davey).

Conversations in Tusculum begins previews on Tuesday, February 19 and run through Sunday, March 23 with an official press opening on Tuesday, March 11 at 7 PM.  The performance schedule is Tuesdays at 7 PM; Wednesdays thru Fridays at 8 PM; Saturdays at 2 PM and 8 PM; and Sundays at 3 PM and 7 PM.

The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette Street.  Tickets are $50 with student tickets available in advance, at the box office only, for $25 (1 per ID).  There are a limited number of Rush Tickets sold an hour before curtain at every performance available to the general public (Two per person, $20 each, cash only).  To purchase tickets, please call (212) 967-7555 or visit www.publictheater.org.