Jeff Daniels to Headline MTC's Off-Broadway Production of Blackbird

Jeff Daniels will headline the Manhattan Theater Club's production of David Harrower's Blackbird next March at the company's City Center Stage I theater. Two-time Tony winner Joe Mantello will direct the play, which was previously produced in London.

Blackbird begins when Una shows up unexpectedly at the office of Ray Daniels, forcing him to come to terms with the effects of their relationship. Una pulls Ray into an encounter that is gripping, surprising and utterly unforgettable. Casting has not been announced for the role of Una.

Daniels made his Broadway debut as an understudy and stage manager in the 1977 production of Gemini. He also starred in The Fifth of July, The Golden Age and Redwood Curtains. Daniels' extensive film credits include Good Night and Good Luck, The Squid and the Whale, Imaginary Heroes, Gods and Generals, The Hours, Pleasantville, 2 Days in the Valley, Dumb and Dumber, Speed, Arachnophobia, Radio Days, The Purple Rose of Cairo and Terms of Endearment. He will also been seen in the upcoming films Mama's Boy, The Lookout and Infamous. Daniels is the founder and executive director of the Purple Rose Theatre Company in Chelsea, Michigan, which is a non-for-profit professional theatre company. He has written and directed several plays for the Purple Rose.

Blackbird is scheduled to begin performances off-Broadway on March 15, with an opening date of April 10.