Esterman, Lyonne, Masur, et al. Set for Leigh's Two Thousand Years

Bainbridge Performing Arts Changes Sprin...

By Brian Scott Lipton • Oct 18, 2007 • New York

Richard Masur
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

Full casting has been announced for the New Group's production of Mike Leigh's London hit Two Thousand Years, to begin previews on January 15, with an official opening on January 31. The production will be directed by Scott Elliott, the group's artistic director.

The cast will feature Yuval Bolm, David Cale, Laura Esterman, Jordan Gelber, Merwin Goldsmith, Cindy Katz, Natasha Lyonne, and Richard Masur. The creative team will be announced shortly.

The play, which received its world premiere at the National Theatre in 2005, concerns an assimilated Jewish family in suburban London, whose lives get turned upside down when their son becomes seriously devout.

The New Group has produced many of Leigh's works, including Goosepimples, Abigail's Party, Ecstasy, and Smelling a Rat. Leigh is equally celebrated for his films, including Secrets and Lies, Topsy-Turvy, and Vera Drake, which earned him a total of five Academy Award nominations.