MARY STUART Opens on Bdwy Tonight, 4/19

The critically acclaimed Donmar Warehouse production of MARY STUART, starring Janet McTeer as Mary, Queen of Scots and Harriet Walter as Elizabeth I, celebrates Opening Night at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 West 44th Street), this evening, Sunday, April 19th, 2009.

McTeer and Walter recreate the performances that dazzled London, joined by a stellar supporting company of 11 actors, performing Peter Oswald's thrilling new version of Friedrich Schiller's classic play under the direction of Phyllida Lloyd.

Seduction, greed and deception lie at the heart of the bitter rivalry between Mary, Queen of Scots (Janet McTeer) and her cousin, Elizabeth I (Harriet Walter) of England. After being implicated in her husband's murder, Mary turns to Elizabeth for help but finds her cousin distrustful of her motives. Thus begins a bloody feud that will threaten not just their family bond, but the crown of England... MARY STUART tells the story of two iconic women whose lust for power reveals one of the most thrilling displays of passion and politics the world has ever seen.

Ben Brantley, New York Times, hailed this production of MARY STUART as "Ripping. A stage burner of a revival. Mary Stuart is portrayed to a red-blooded fare-thee-well by Janet McTeer. Queen Elizabeth I is portrayed with glittering iciness by Harriet Walter. Mary Stuart has never seemed more pertinent than it does in this vivid incarnation, staged by Phyllida Lloyd." The Daily Telegraph pronounced it "Exhilarating... Pure Class!" The Times raved, "Terrific Acting, Terrific Theatre, Terrific Schiller". The Daily Mail called the production "Unforgettable". The Observer raved, "Phyllida Lloyd has provided a gleaming, intense Mary Stuart. It's thrillingly staged and acted to the hilt". The Sunday Times claimed, "Both female leads crackle with the kind of gun-powder charisma that sparks devotion and forments intrigue. In this fine production, every lie, every deception, rings true".

Janet McTeer returns to New York for the first time since she electrified Broadway with her Tony Award-winning portrayal of Nora in A Doll's House. She won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Academy Award for her performance in the celebrated film Tumbleweeds. Her other theatre work includes Duchess of Malfi, Uncle Vanya and A Midsummer Night's Dream.

Harriet Walter, considered one of England's greatest classical actresses, is a three-time Olivier Award winner for her performances in Twelfth Night, A Question of Geography and Three Sisters. Film credits include the Academy Award-nominated Atonement, Babel and Sense & Sensibility.

Peter Oswald's thrilling adaptation of Mary Stuart won the praise of critics and audiences alike in its West End run. His previous adaptations include Schiller's Don Carlos, Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannos and a stage version of the Sanskrit epic The Ramayana. His original works include The Swansong of Ivanhoe Westeway and Augustine's Oak.

Phyllida Lloyd is one of Britain's most important theater and opera directors. Internationally she is best known for her work on Mamma Mia!, the Tony-nominated musical sensation currently playing in 16 countries. She directed the Golden Globe-nominated film version of Mamma Mia!, which has become the highest-grossing movie helmed by a woman, as well as the highest-grossing movie ever in the UK. Her other stage credits include major productions at the National Theatre, RSC, Royal Court Theatre, Bristol Old Vic Theatre and Shakespeare's Old Globe.

The Donmar Warehouse is one of London's leading producing theatres and has garnered critical acclaim for its unparalleled catalogue of work. Since 1992, Donmar-generated productions have received 31 Olivier Awards, 20 Critics' Circle Awards, 19 Evening Standard Awards and 13 Tony Awards. Productions in the West End include Mary Stuart, Frost/Nixon, Piaf, Guys and Dolls, Design for Living, The Glass Menagerie, Company and The Real Thing. Productions on Broadway include Frost/Nixon (currently on tour in the US), Cabaret, Electra, The Blue Room, The Real Thing, True West, Nine and the Public Theater and Donmar collaboration of Take Me Out.

Joining Ms. McTeer and Ms. Walter, will be Michael Countryman as Sir Amias Paulet; Adam Greer as O'Kelly; John Benjamin Hickey as Earl of Leicester; Michael Rudko as Count Aubespine/Melvil; Robert Stanton as William Davison; Maria Tucci as Hanna Kennedy; Chandler Williams as Mortimer; Nicholas Woodeson as Lord Burleigh and Brian Murray as Earl of Shrewsbury. The company also features Jacqueline Antaramian, Tony Carlin, Monique Fowler and Guy Paul.

The first Broadway production of MARY STUART in almost 40 years will be produced by Arielle Tepper Madover, Debra Black, Neal Street Productions/Matthew Byam Shaw, Barbara Whitman, Jean Doumanian/Ruth Hendel, David Binder/CarlWend Productions/Spring Sirkin, Daryl Roth/James L. Nederlander/Chase Miskin.

The production is designed by Anthony Ward, with lighting by Hugh Vanstone and sound by Paul Arditti.

The Donmar Warehouse production of MARY STUART played from July 14 through September 3, 2005. It then transferred into London's West End to the Apollo, where it was produced by Arielle Tepper Madover, ACT Productions, Neal Street Productions & Matthew Byam Shaw and played from October 7, 2005 to January 14, 2006.

Preview prices are $64-$99, including $1.50 facilities fee. Tickets for performances after April 20 are $69.50-$116.50. Performances are Tuesday through Saturday at 8:00 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2:00 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM. Call Telecharge at 212-239-6200 or visit www.telecharge.com.

Photo by Joan Marcus