Julia Stiles Headed to Broadway in "Oleanna"

Most well known as the star of the "Bourne" film series, Cindy Adams in the New York Post reports that Julia Stiles is headed to Broadway in David Mamet's "Oleanna."

Stiles previously played the role in London at the Garrick Theater. About the role, she says "By the end of the play pretty much everyone hates me. But I only know this will be my first time on Broadway. It's a dream of mine."

Producing the show is reported to be Jeffrey Finn and Arlene Scanlan.

Julia Stiles was born and trained in New York City. She began her career onstage as a member of the Ridge Theater Company in such productions as Everyday Newt Berman, Sandalwood Box, Photo Op (all at La Mama Theater); Matthew/School of Life, Hughies (both at The Kitchen Theater); and Jungle Movie (One Dream). More recently, she has appeared in Twelfth Night (Shakespeare in the Park) as Viola and the West End revival of David Mamet's Oleanna. In film, she will next be seen in a film version of David Mamet's play Edmond and A Little Trip to Heaven. Other films include The Bourne Supremacy, The Bourne Identity, Mona Lisa's Smile, Hamlet, Ten Things I Hate About You, O, State and Main, Save the Last Dance and The Business of Strangers.

Oleanna is a two-character play by David Mamet about the power struggle between a university professor and one of his female students who accuses him of sexual harassment and, by doing so, spoils his chances of being accorded tenure. The play's title, taken from a folk song, refers to a 19th-century escapist vision of utopia. The play premiered in May 1992 in Cambridge, Massachusetts as the first production of Mamet's new Back Bay Theater Company with William H. Macy and Rebecca Pidgeon in the title roles. The pair later appeared Off-Broadway as well. Macy later went on to star in the film version alongside Debra Eisenstadt. Stiles appeared in the 2004 London production opposite Aaron Eckhart.

Photo: Julia Stiles by Linda Lenzi