Girls’ Christopher Abbott, Tony Nominee Lois Smith & More Tapped for Annie Baker's John Off-Broadway

Casting is now set for the world premiere of John, the first show of Pulitzer winner Annie Baker’s residency at Signature Theatre. The production will star Girls’ Christopher Abbott and Tony nominee Lois Smith, Emmy nominee Georgia Engel and Hong Chau. Fun Home Tony winner Sam Gold will direct. Performances will run from July 22 through August 30 at the Irene Diamond Stage at the Pershing Square Signature Center. Opening night is set for August 11.

In addition to Girls, Abbott has appeared on screen in Martha Marcy May Marlene and A Most Violent Year. He made his Broadway debut in The House of Blue Leaves; his previous off-Broadway credits include Mouth to Mouth and Good Boys and True. Smith earned Tony nominations for her performances in Buried Child and The Grapes of Wrath. Her additional stage credits include Stages and The Iceman Cometh. Chau recently appeared in the NBC series A to Z, as well as Treme. Between her performances on May Tyler Moore and Everybody Loves Raymond, Engel has earned five Emmy nominations. Her Broadway credits include The Drowsy Chaperone and The Boys from Syracuse.

John takes place in a Gettysburg, Pennsylvania bed and breakfast the week after Thanksgiving. It follows a cheerful innkeeper, a young couple struggling to stay together and the thousands of inanimate objects watching. The production will feature scenic design by Mimi Lien, costumes by Ásta Bennie Hostetter, lighting design by Mark Barton and sound design by Bray Poor.