Guare's A FREE MAN OF COLOR Gets Lincoln Center Production, Fall 2010

The New York Times is reporting that John Guare's new play "Free Man of Color," which was postponed last season at The Public Theater due to a fall-out in funding, will now get a full production at Lincoln Center in the fall of 2010. 

George C. Wolfe, who won the Tony Award-winning for his direction of "Angels in America" and "Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in ‘Da Funk," is reportedly still attached to the project as the show's director.

The New York Times writes that at the time of the show's cancellation in 2008, "according to theater executives familiar with that decision in 2008, Mr. Eustis shut down the show after he alienated the independent producer Carole Shorenstein Hays, who he was counting on to provide a hefty sum to back the show. Ms. Shorenstein Hays wanted input on the production, these executives said, but felt stiff-armed by Mr. Eustis."

Said The Public Artistic Director Oscar Eustis at the time of the cancellation: "A Free Man of Color is a great play that deserves a great production; artists like John Guare and George C. Wolfe are the best we have and should get the best...The current harsh economic climate means we cannot produce Free Man this season within The Public's fiscal parameters. This is a tough and disappointing decision, but one we made with great thought and care, and one that will ensure The Public's health and stability."

In response to the news that Free Man of Color was on the move, Eustis wrote into the New York Times: "John Guare has written a beautiful and important play. I am very happy it's being produced; audiences should get a chance to see it."

Wolfe and Guare apparently continued work on the production since the cancellation and have cut some 20 pages from the script. 

The show has not officially been announced, however, it is possible that Free Man of Color could be one of the two productions Lincoln Center Theater is planning to produce in the fall of 2010. Lincoln Center Theater officials declined to comment to the Times today. 

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.