Matt Bogart To Be Part of Arena's 'Legacy' Cast

Matt Bogart's official website is reporting that the actor will be part of the Arena Stage cast of Legacy of Light from May 8th to June 14th. Matt is slated to play the roles of Saint Lambert/Lance in this world premiere drama by Karen Zacarías, directed by Molly Smith at Arena Stage in Crystal City, VA.  The actor has previously appeared on Broadway in Aida, Smokey Joe's Cafe, and The Civil War.

The Legacy of Light, we enter the world of Emilie du Châtelet, an 18th century physicist who falls in love with the renowned writer and philosopher Voltaire. Jump forward to the present day world of Olivia, also a physicist, in remission from cancer. What could these women's stories have in common? D.C. playwright Karen Zacarías (The Book Club Play, Mariela in the Desert) teams up with Arena's own Artistic Director Molly Smith to tell a time-traveling tale of discovery—both scientific and maternal. Facing motherhood with some trepidation, Emilie fears she will die in labor, leaving her work unfinished, and Olivia wonders how much she will have to sacrifice to be a mother. Both women worry it will cost them their dreams of scientific immortality. A riveting drama with unexpected twists, this Arena-commissioned play brings a new voice to our stages—one that speaks with great eloquence on two women's quest for knowledge and love.

The play will be part of a new program launched by Arena Stage, ARENA RESTAGED.

With temporary theater operations running smoothly in Arlington, VA and construction well underway on the 47-year-old Southwest, D.C theater-campus, Arena Stage announces plans for a two-year festival throughout the entire time it takes to finish the expansion of its new complex, Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. Building on 57 years as a pioneer in the American theater, Arena Stage will once again make history with ARENA RESTAGED, a massive, two-year festival celebrating the rich mosaic of our nation's voices. Undoubtedly, a significant time in the theater's history, ARENA RESTAGED lays the foundation for a new home for theater artists and audiences. Arena Stage—Where American Theater Lives.

"With ARENA RESTAGED we have re-envisioned the structure of programming to be year-round during this time leading up to the 2010 opening of the Mead Center," said Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith. "We've selected productions that preview the breadth of work to come in our new space, and we know our loyal audiences will join us for this adventure as we expand our theater operations and the variety of productions through this celebration of the American voice. Arena also makes a return into the District during this time with productions at the historic Lincoln Theatre."

ARENA RESTAGED begins this August and concludes in July 2010. It will be announced in two parts with the second announcement to be held in the fall of 2008. Productions will be staged at Arena Stage in Crystal City and at The Lincoln Theatre in Washington, D.C. Part one of the festival kicks off with a remarkable exploration of American work featuring American Giants (Edward Albee and Tennessee Williams), exciting contemporary voices (Daniel Beaty and Karen Zacharías) and the quintessential American art form—the musical (Off-Broadway hit Next to Normal, Irvin Berlin's I Love a Piano and the return of Crowns).

The first part also includes such actors as Carrie Fisher (Star Wars' Princess Leia) and three leading ladies of the theater: Jayne Houdyshell (Broadway's Wicked and Well), Kathleen Chalfant (Obie Award Winner for Wit) and Ellen McLaughlin (originated the role of the Angel in Broadway's Angels in America). The productions will be led by some of today's finest directors including Michael Greif (Broadway's Rent), Oz Scott (Broadway's For Colored Girls…), Pam Mackinnon (Albee's recent New York premiere Peter and Jerry) and the return of Tazewell Thompson (Arena's M. Butterfly). Part one of the festival also continues the Arena Presents series with Josh Kornbluth's Citizen Josh and Maureen McGovern's A Long and Winding Road.

Arena furthers its position as supporter of new American theater through the New Play Development Project: a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. Arena will act as the administrator of the program, which will support seven selected new play projects across the country. The program aims to enhance the ability for the nation's non-profit theaters to bring new work to full production.

For more information please visit www.arenastage.org

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