Cherry Jones, Kathleen Chalfant & More Set for Sarah Ruhl’s Dear Elizabeth Off-Broadway

Two-time Tony winner Cherry Jones, Tony nominee Kathleen Chalfant and more will be members of six rotating casts for the New York premiere of Sarah Ruhl’s Dear Elizabeth. Directed by Kate Whoriskey, the inaugural production of Women’s Project Theater at the McGinn/Cazale Theatre, will play a limited engagement October 26 through December 5.

Dear Elizabeth examines the correspondence between Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell—two of the twentieth century’s most renowned poets. The show tells a tale of unconventional friendship and intimacy that spanned thirty years and more than 400 letters, with postmarks from Maine to Key West, from London to South America.

The roles of Bishop and Lowell, respectively, will be taken on by, as follows: October 26—31 Chalfant (Angels in America) and Harris Yulin (Hedda Gabler); November 2—7 J. Smith-Cameron (Juno and the Paycock) and John Douglas Thompson (Othello); November 16—21 Jones (Doubt) and David Aaron Baker (Once Upon A Mattress). November 23—28 real-life married couple Ellen McLaughlin (Angels in America) and Rinde Eckert (Slow Fire) will appear in the show and from November 30—December 5 Mia Katigbak (Awake and Sing!) is scheduled to play Bishop. Polly Noonan (Dead Man’s Cell Phone) will play the role of Stage Manager for all six weeks. Additional casting will be announced later.

The production will feature set design by Antje Ellermann, costume design by Anita Yavich, lighting design by Mary Louise Geiger, along with sound design by Jill BC Du Boff and Emily Auciello.