Annette Bening to Star in Medea at UCLA

Annette Bening will kick off UCLA Live’s 2009-10 season by playing the title role in Medea. This new interpretation of Euripedes’ tragedy will run September 23-October 18 at Freud Playhouse in Los Angeles, helmed by Croatian director Lenka Udovicki.

Medea is the anchor production of UCLA’s Eighth International Theater Festival and the first original production to be created for UCLA Live. No other casting has been announced.

The L.A.-based Udovicki, who has directed plays and operas around the world, reportedly received a commitment from Bening before offering the production to UCLA. The play, which centers on Medea’s destructive affair with Jason, will be presented with a 12-woman chorus and onstage musicians.

Bening received a Tony nomination for Coastal Disturbancesand has starred in Los Angeles productions of Hedda Gabler and The Cherry Orchard. Her many film credits include The Women, Being Julia, American Beauty, The American President, Bugsy and The Grifters.