The Public Theater will open its spring season with the world premiere of Richard Nelson's history play Conversations in Tusculum. Joining the previously announced Brian Dennehy, David Strathairn and Maria Tucci will be Joe Grifasi and Gloria Reuben in a production directed by the playwright. Conversations in Tusculum will begin previews on February 19, 2008, and open on March 11. The limited engagement will run through March 23.
Conversations in Tusculum chronicles those entangled in Julius Caesar's world of manipulation and power. In Nelson's latest exploration of history, set outside Rome in the villas and hillsides of Tusculum, the country and the values it represents are being destroyed by a misguided leader. The citizens can continue to live in relative comfort by not involving themselves, or take action to save democracy. Dennehy is cast as Cicero, Grifasi is Syrus, Reuben is Porcia, Strathairn is Cassius, and Tucci is Servilia.
"Richard Nelson has been one of our most thoughtful and courageous playwrights for over 30 years," Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis said in a statement. "Conversations in Tusculum is both a personal and deeply political play, a brilliant grappling with fundamental moral issues. It is a landmark in his development." Nelson's play about Frank Lloyd Wright, Frank's Home, was produced last season at Playwrights Horizons, and Second Stage will present a revival of his Some Americans Abroad later this season. His other plays include Rodney's Wife, Franny's Way, Madame Melville, Goodnight Children Everywhere, The General From America, Left, New England and Two Shakespearean Actors.
