Willem Dafoe, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Peter Sellars, et al. Set for Public’s 2009-2010 Season

The Public Theater has announced selections for its 2009-2010 season, which will kick off with Shakespeare’s Othello (September 12-October 4), to be directed by Peter Sellars and star John Ortiz and Philip Seymour Hoffman as Othello and Iago, respectively.

Next up will be the world premiere of writer/director Richard Foreman’s Idiot Savant, starring Willem Dafoe. This philosophical comedy goes from precise existential and metaphysical acrobatics, to a ridiculous game of inter-species golf with a Giant Duck.

Tarell Alvin McCraney’s The Brother/Sister Plays will run October 21-December 13, with Part 1, In the Red and Brown Water directed by Tina Landau, and Part 2, consisting of the one-acts The Brothers Size and Marcus; or the Secret of Sweet, directed by Robert O’Hara. This world premiere production is presented in association with McCarter Theatre, which is currently staging the plays.

Acclaimed monologist Mike Daisey will present the New York premiere of The Last Cargo Cult in December, to be directed by Jean-Michele Gregory. The work tells the true-life story of Daisey’s time on a remote South Pacific island whose inhabitants worship America at the base of a constantly erupting volcano.

The Public will stage the world premiere of Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks’ Snake (March 2-April 4), to be directed by James Macdonald. In the play, a young man returns home to South Texas to confront his father, and everyday life erupts into a battle for personal survival.

The Public’s 2009-2010 season will also include the third year of Public LAB of stripped-down productions; the sixth Under the Radar festival (January 6-17), showcasing cutting-edge theater from around the world; and the return of New Work Now!, the popular free readings series that showcases new work.

For more information, visit www.publictheater.org.