Roache and Burns set for Eno's MIDDLETOWN at Vineyard Theatre, Previews 10/6

Golden Globe nominee Linus Roache (widely known for his role as Asst D.A. Michael Cutler on LAW & ORDER) and Heather Burns (most recently on stage in THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO as well as the films MISS CONGENIALITY and TWO WEEKS NOTICE opposite Sandra Bullock) will star in the World-Premiere of Will Eno's play MIDDLETOWN, which begins previews at Vineyard Theatre (108 East 15th Street) on October 6th, it has been announced by Douglas Aibel, Artistic Director for the Vineyard Theatre. Ken Rus Schmoll will direct.

MIDDLETOWN is a deeply moving and funny new play exploring the universe of a small American town. As a friendship develops between longtime resident John Dodge (Roache) and new arrival Mary Swanson (Burns), the lives of the inhabitants of Middletown intersect in strange and poignant ways in a journey that takes them from the local library to outer space and points between.

Additional casting and design team for MIDDLETOWN is TBA.

Linus Roache made his NY Theatre debut in both productions of Shakespeare's CORIOLANUS & RICHARD 11 at B.A.M. opposite Ralph Fiennes . He was also a member of The Royal Shakespeare Company in the UK. Linus is widely known for his role as Asst D.A. Michael Cutler on LAW & ORDER from 2008 to 2010. Other television credits include roles in HBO's award winning THE GATHERING STORM, NBC's KIDNAPPED, and he received a Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal of Robert Kennedy in the FX TV film, RFK. Linus' film credits include WINGS OF A DOVE, HART'S WAR, PRIEST, and BATMAN BEGINS.

Heather Burns' theatre credits include FRAN'S BED (Playwrights Horizons) and LOBBY HERO (Playwrights Horizons and the John Houseman Theater), Woody Allen's WRITERS BLOCK (the Atlantic Theater), the West End production of THIS IS OUR YOUTH, and, most recently, Christopher Durang's THE MARRIAGE OF BETTE AND BOO (Roundabout). Heather can currently be seen in the HBO comedy series BORED TO DEATH opposite Jason Schwartzman and Zach Galifianakis. In film, she will next be seen opposite Anna Faris and Chris Evans in the Mark Mylod directed comedy WHAT'S YOUR NUMBER? as well as the independent features, VALLEY OF THE SUN and ASHES. Her past film credits include BREAKING UPWARDS, CHOKE, MISS CONGENIALITY (1 & 2), BEWITCHED, TWO WEEKS NOTICE and YOU'VE GOT MAIL.

Mr. Eno's play "THOM PAIN (based on nothing)" was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and enjoyed a year-long run Off-Broadway in 2004 following its debut at the International Edinburgh Fringe Festival and a subsequent transfer to London's Soho Theatre. His play "THE FLU SEASON" won the 2004 Oppenheimer Award for best debut production. His other plays include TRAGEDY: a tragedy, and "OH, THE HUMANITY and other exclamations," which debuted at The Flea Theater.

Ken Rus Schmoll directed the Vineyard Theatre's production of Anne Washburn's play THE INTERNATIONALIST, and won an OBIE for his direction of TELEPHONE by Ariana Reines, at the Cherry Lane. Other productions include WHAT WE ONCE FELT by Ann Marie Healy at Lincoln Center, HELLO FAILURE by Kristen Kosmas at P.S. 122, the NY premiere of AMAZONS AND THEIR MEN by JorDan Harrison and DEMON BABY for Clubbed Thumb, and GIRL BLOG FROM IRAQ at The Culture Project.

Vineyard Theatre is the recipient of the Tony Award for the musical AVENUE Q and continues as producer of the musical's current production at New World Stages in New York. The Vineyard has also produced the musical [title of show] on Broadway. One of the nation's leading non-profit theatre companies dedicated to new plays and musicals and bold programming, The Vineyard has produced the Pulitzer Prize-winning productions of Edward Albee's THREE TALL WOMEN and Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE. The Vineyard has consistently premiered provocative, groundbreaking works and developed innovative educational collaborations. Recent productions include Tarell Alvin McCraney's acclaimed WIG OUT!. The 2009-2010 season saw several enormously Popular Productions at the Vineyard, including: A BOY AND HIS SOUL, written and performed by Colman Domingo, the world premiere engagement of the musical THE SCOTTSBORO BOYS with music and lyrics by John Kander and Fred Ebb, book by David Thompson, and direction and choreography by Susan Stroman, the world premiere of Adam Rapp's THE METAL CHILDREN and (along with Playwrights Horizons) the new musical THE BURNT PART BOYS by Mariana Elder, Nathan Tysen and Chris Miller, directed by Joe Calarco.

Douglas Aibel is Artistic Director of Vineyard Theatre; Jennifer Garvey-Blackwell is Executive Director.

For information about the Vineyard, visit www.vineyardtheatre.org or call 212 353-3366.

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