TBD

John Guare is back at Lincoln Center Theater. The celebrated playwright of Six Degrees of Separation, Chaucer in Rome, and The House of Blue Leaves has written a new play that is by turns astonishing, raucous and panoramic. A comedy of grand scale -- with a cast of 33 -- made to order for the Beaumont Stage.

A FREE MAN OF COLOR is set in the boisterous New Orleans culture that existed just prior to the historic Louisiana Purchase. Before law and order took hold. Before class, racial and political lines were drawn. When New Orleans was still a parade of beautiful women and good-looking men, flowing wine and pleasure for the taking.

At the center of this Dionysian world is Jacques Cornet (Jeffrey Wright), who commands the men, seduces the women, preens like a peacock and cuts a wide swath through the city and the province. But, it is 1801 and the map of New Orleans is about to be redrawn. The Louisiana Purchase will bring American rule to New Orleans, challenging the chaotic, colorful world of Jacques Cornet and all that he represents.

George C. Wolfe will direct A FREE MAN OF COLOR, which will mark his LCT debut. Mr. Wolfe won Tony Awards for directing Angels in America and for Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk. He also directed, among others, Jelly's Last Jam, Caroline or Change and Elaine Stritch at Liberty

A FREE MAN OF COLOR will have sets by David Rockwell, costumes by Ann Hould-Ward, lighting by Jules Fisher and Peggy Eisenhauer, sound by Scott Stauffer, original music by Jeanine Tesori and choreography by Hope Clarke.

The cast will feature Peter Bartlett, Nicole Beharie, Arnie Burton, Rosal Colon, Veanne Cox, Paul Dano, Sara Gettelfinger, Joseph Marcell, Nick Mennell, mos, Teyonah Parris, Brian Reddy, Reg Rogers, Triney Sandoval, Robert Stanton, Wendy Rich Stetson, David Emerson Toney and Jeffrey Wright. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

• A New Play by

  John Guare

• Directed by

  George C. Wolfe