Simon Russell Beale to Star in Bluebird at Atlantic Theater Company

Off-Broadway's Atlantic Theater will kick off its 2011-2012 Stage 2 season with Simon Stephens' Bluebird starring British stage star Simon Russell Beale. Performances begin August 9 with an opening night set for September 9. Directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch, the limited engagement will run through September 22.

The cast also features Kate Blumberg (When the Rain Stops Falling), Mary McCann (Body Awareness), Tobias Segal (The Miracle Worker) and Todd Weeks (Keep Your Pantheon). Additional casting and creative team members will be announced shortly.

Bluebird follows Jimmy MacNeill (Beale), a London taxi driver whose passengers often tell him personal stories. MacNeill, in turn, begins to reveal details about his own life each time he picks up a new customer.

Beale received a Tony nomination for Jumpers and also appeared on Broadway in Spamalot. His many London stage credits include the recent revival of Deathtrap (co-starring Jonathan Groff), an acclaimed Hamlet, Twelfth Night, Humble Boy, Much Ado About Nothing, Major Barbara and London Assurance. For Sam Mendes' Bridge Project, he has major roles in The Cherry Orchard and The Winter's Tale.