Theater News

Casting Completed for Drama Dept.’s Rope

New York City
Christopher Duva, Lois Markle, Neil Vipond, and Chandler Williams have been cast in the upcoming revival of Patrick Hamilton’s 1929 thriller Rope, to be presented November 21-January 15 by the Drama Dept. and The Zipper. As previously reported, the production will be directed by David Warren and will co-star Ginifer King, John Lavelle, Zak Orth, and Sam Trammell.

Based loosely on the famed Leopold and Loeb case, Rope tells of two young men — to be played by Trammell and Williams — who believe that they have committed the perfect crime when they murder a college friend. Originally titled Rope’s End, the play was adapted by Alfred Hitchcock for the classic 1948 film starring Farley Granger, John Dall, and James Stewart.

The revival will have scenic design by James Youmans, costume design by Gregory Gale, lighting design by Jeff Crotier, and sound design by Kai Harada. Warren’s many directorial credits include Holiday, The Dazzle, and Matt & Ben; he is currently represented by the Off-Broadway hit Drumstruck.

Duva’s New York credits include The Elephant Man and How I Learned to Drive. Markle, a veteran Broadway actress, was Celia Weston’s understudy in the 2000 revival of True West. Vipond played Duncan in the 1981 Broadway revival of Macbeth that starred Glenda Jackson and Christopher Plummer. Williams was seen Off-Broadway in The Mysteries and in the recent film Heights with Glenn Close.

King appeared in the recent Broadway revivals of Gypsy and Steel Magnolias. Lavelle starred on Broadway in The Graduate. Orth has been seen in the Roundabout Theatre Company productions of Major Barbara and Misalliance. Trammell received a Theater World Award and a Tony Award nomination for his performance in Ah, Wilderness! at Lincoln Center.