Casting Complete for New Group's Mourning Becomes Electra

Complete casting has been announced for The New Group’s off-Broadway revival of Eugene O’Neill’s Mourning Becomes Electra. Directed by Scott Elliott, the epic drama begins performances on January 27 at The Acorn Theater on Theatre Row, with opening set for February 19. The limited engagement runs through April 18.

Joining previously announced stars Lili Taylor as Christine Mannon and Jena Malone as Lavinia Mannon are Joseph Cross as Orin Mannon, Anson Mount as Brant, Mark Blum as Ezra Mannon and Robert Hogan as Seth Beckwith. The cast also includes Carolyn Baeumler, Phoebe Strole, Patrick Mapel, Therese Barbato, Geoffrey Bryant, Susan Goodwillie, Mycah Hogan, Sean Meehan and John Wojda. Hogan replaces previously announced star John Cullum, who withdrew from the production to appear in the upcoming off-Broadway debut of Gerald Sibleyras’ Heroes.

The seldom-revived Electra, which debuted on Broadway in 1931, is a Freudian update of the Greek tragedy, set during the American Civil War. It tells the story of General Ezra Mannon based on Agamemnon, his adulterous second wife, Christine based on Clytemnestra and played by Taylor, and children Orin based on Orestes and daughter Lavinia based on Electra and played by Malone, weaving a tale of revenge, lust, jealousy and revenge.

With an unedited running time of five hours, Mourning Becomes Electra was last revived on Broadway in 1972. In recent years, the juicy role of Christine has attracted actresses such as Jane Alexander in a 2003 Long Wharf production and Helen Mirren in a 2003 National Theatre production.

The show features set design by Derek McLane, costumes by Susan Hilferty, lighting design by Jason Lyons and sound design by Shane Rettig, as well as original music by Grammy Award winning jazz musician Pat Metheny.