Two-time Olivier Award winner Janie Dee is set to play the title role in off-Broadway's Linda, which marks playwright Penelope Skinner's Manhattan Theatre Club return following her play The Ruins of Civilization. Helmed by MTC’s Tony-winning Artistic Director Lynne Meadow, the production is now scheduled to begin performances slightly later, on February 7, 2017 (instead of February 3). Opening night is slated for February 28 (from February 23) at MTC's New York City Center—Stage I.
Dee took home the Olivier for Comic Potential and Carousel; additional West End credits include Hand To God, The Seagull and Blithe Spirit. As previously announced, Dee will also star as Phyllis in Follies at the National Theatre opposite Imelda Staunton. She made her New York debut at MTC in Comic Potential and was recently seen in Antony and Cleopatra and Much Ado About Nothing at the Hollywood Bowl.
The cast will also feature Meghann Fahy (Next to Normal) as Stevie, newcomer Molly Griggs as Amy, MTC alum Jennifer Ikeda (Vietgone) as Alice, Maurice Jones (The Cherry Orchard) as Luke, Donald Sage Mackay (stop.reset.) as Neil, Molly Ranson (Fish in the Dark) as Bridget and John C. Vennema (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) as Dave.
Skinner's new play follows Linda Wilde, a senior executive who pitches a new concept that could change the way the world looks at women of a certain age. As the potential for her success escalates, so do the stakes as she fights to maintain her carefully considered life, including her career, marriage and parenthood.
The creative team for Linda includes scenic designer Walt Spangler, costume designer Jennifer Von Mayrhauser, lighting designer Jason Lyons, sound designer Fitz Patton and dialect coach Ben Furey.