Stage Adaptation of John Grisham Thriller A Time to Kill to Premiere at Arena Stage, Starring Sebastian Arcelus

A theatrical adaptation of the John Grisham thriller A Time to Kill will premiere at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. with a cast headed by Broadway vet Sebastian Arcelus. The play, adapted for the stage by Tony winner Rupert Holmes (The Mystery of Edwin Drood), will run at Arena's Kreeger Theater from May 6 to June 19, directed by Ethan McSweeny.

In addition to Arcelus, the cast of A Time to Kill includes Erin Davie, Dion Graham, Rosie Benton and Brennan Brown. Rounding out the company are Jeffrey M. Bender, Trena Bolden Fields, Jonathan Lincoln Fried, Deborah Hazlett, Joe Isenberg, Chike Johnson, Michael Marcan, Hugh Nees, Evan Thompson and John C. Vennema.

A Time to Kill tells the story of a Mississippi town's upheaval when Carl Lee Hailey (Graham) takes the law into his own hands following an unspeakable crime committed against his daughter. Now on trial for murder, Carl Lee's only hope lies with young, idealistic lawyer Jake Brigance (Arcelus), who is outmatched by the formidable district attorney Rufus Buckley (Brown), and under attack from both sides of a racially divided city.

Arcelus’ Broadway credits include Elf, Jersey Boys, Wicked and Rent. Davie, who plays Jake's wife Carla Brigance, recently appeared on Broadway in A Little Night Music; other Broadway credits include Grey Gardens and Curtains. Graham’s New York theater credits include On the Levee at Lincoln Center. Benton has been seen on Broadway in Accent on Youth and Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and Brown has been seen on the New York stage in The Persians.

The creative team for A Time to Kill includes set designer James Noone, costume designer Karen Perry, lighting designer York Kennedy, sound designer Lindsay Jones and projection designer Jeff Sugg.

Arena's production of A Time to Kill is being mounted "by special arrangement" with New York producer Daryl Roth, suggesting that the play may be Broadway-bound.