Ally Sheedy & More Will Star in Robert Boswell’s The Long Shrift, Directed by James Franco, Off-Broadway

Ally Sheedy will star in the world premiere of Robert Boswell’s The Long Shrift. As previously announced, the off-Broadway play will be helmed by Of Mice and Men headliner James Franco (making his stage directing debut) and run from July 7 through August 23. Joining Sheedy in the cast are Ahna O’Reilly, Allie Gallerani, Scott Haze and Brian Lally. Opening night is set for July 13 at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.

Sheedy made her film debut in Bad Boys, and has since appeared on screen in projects including The Breakfast Club, St. Elmo’s Fire, War Games and Short Circuit. She starred off-Broadway in Hedwig and the Angry Inch in 2000. O’Reilly’s breakout performance was in The Help; she has since gone on to appear in films including The Time Being, Jobs and CBGB. Gallerani’s stage credits include My Children! My Africa! and The Metal Children. Haze makes his Off-Broadway debut in The Long Shrift; he has worked under the direction of Franco before in the films Child of God, As I Lay Dying, Bukowski and the upcoming The Sound & the Fury. Lally has worked with Franco on multiple projects, including Bukowski and The Sound and the Fury. He recently partnered with his director in creating Studio Four, an acting school in North Hollywood.

The Long Shrift follows Richard Singer, a dorky teenage boy who is accused and thrown in jail for rape, tearing his parents apart. Now, nine years later, Richard is out of jail and his accuser is back in his life. The play will feature set design by Andromache Chalfant, costumes by Jessica Pabst, lighting design by Burke Brown and sound design by Bart Fasbender.