Twain's Lost Play 'Is He Dead?' Comes to Life on Bway Nov.8

Is He Dead?, a new comedy by master American novelist and satirist Mark Twain, adapted by David Ives, and directed by two-time Tony Award winner Michael Blakemore, begins performances Thursday, November 8 at Broadway's Lyceum Theatre (149 West 45th Street).

Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz (Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) leads the cast, which includes Jeremy Bobb (Translations), Marylouise Burke (Into the Woods), Patricia Conolly (Enchanted April), Jenn Gambatese (Tarzan), Tony Award nominee Byron Jennings (Inherit the Wind), Tony Award nominee Michael McGrath (Spamalot), five-time Tony Award nominee John McMartin (Grey Gardens), Tony Award nominee David Pittu (LoveMusik), Bridget Regan and Tom Alan Robbins (The Lion King).

"In this newly discovered Mark Twain comedy, the original master of American humor dishes out a sly critique of the art world with acerbic wit and social commentary well ahead of his time.  IS HE DEAD? is a fast-paced play about a struggling artist who stages his own death to drive up the price of his paintings.  As the riotous scheme unfolds, Twain poses daring questions about fame, greed and the value of art, and pokes his signature, mischievous fun at everyone involved," explain press notes.

Written in 1898, Is He Dead? remained unpublished until it was rediscovered in 2002 by noted Twain scholar Shelley Fisher Fishkin.

Is He Dead? will be produced on Broadway by Bob Boyett, Roger Berlind, Daryl Roth, Jane Bergere, Bob Bartner, O'Boyle-Stevens and Dede Harris/Sharon Karmazin.

The design team for Is He Dead? includes scenic design by Tony Award nominee Peter J. Davison, costume design by two-time Tony Award winner Martin Pakledinaz, and lighting design by Tony Award winner Peter Kaczorowski.

Tickets for Is He Dead? are available by calling Telecharge at (212) 239-6200, (800) 432-7250 outside the NY metro area, or online at Telecharge.com. The Lyceum Theatre Box Office (149 W. 45th Street, between 7th and 6th Avenues) will open on October 22, 2007.

Ticket prices for all performances are $26.50, $ 46.50, $76.50 & $98.50. All prices include a $1.50 facility fee.

Performance Schedule November 8-December 2: Monday through Saturday evenings at 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2pm. There are no performances on Wednesday, November 14 at 2pm and Thursday, November 22.  There is an additional performance on Friday, November 23 at 2pm.

Performance Schedule from December 3: Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8pm, Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2pm, Sunday matinees at 3pm.

For more information visit www.IsHeDead.com