Photo Flash: Geffen Playhouse Presents FARRAGUT NORTH Through 7/26

The Geffen Playhouse rolls out the red (white and blue) carpet for the opening of Beau Willimon's political powerhouse play Farragut North at the Geffen Playhouse, running through July 26. Directed by Tony-Award winning Doug Hughes (Doubt), the cast includes: Mia Barron, Dan Bittner, Justine Huen, Chris Noth, Chris Pine, Olivia Thirlby and Isiah Whitlcok, Jr. After a successful run in New York, in which Noth, Thirlby and Whitlock were part of the original cast, Farragut North is making its West Coast premiere after a week of packed preview performances.

Set against the backdrop of a close presidential race, Farragut North is a timely tale of hubris, loyalty and the lust for power. Chris Pine (Star Trek) takes on the role of Stephen, a young press secretary working for a fast-rising candidate. With confidence and power beyond his years, Stephen is convinced he and seasoned campaign manager, Paul, played by Chris Noth (Law & Order, Sex & The City), can steer this team into the west wing without breaking a sweat. But that doesn't mean it won't take some spin. Working to snag positive coverage for his candidate, Stephen works with Ida Horowicz, a savvy New York Times reporter, played by Mia Barron (The House of Blue Leaves, The Coast of Utopia). Watching Stephen in awe as he works the system, is deputy press secretary Ben played by Dan Bittner, who recently appeared in The Vertical Hour on Broadway and can be currently seen on the big screen in Adventureland. When Olivia Thirlby (Juno) enters as Molly, the bright-eyed flirtatious intern, and Isiah Whitlock, Jr. (The Wire) as the conniving campaign manager for the rival candidate Stephen's invincibility gets a run of its own.

With quick-witted banter and an inside look into the world of politics, Farragut North makes its West Coast premiere at the Geffen Playhouse. The play, which originally opened at New York's Atlantic Theater Company in fall of 2008, is a 2007 recipient of an Edgerton Foundation grant for New American Plays.

Tickets ($45 to $74) are on sale now at the Geffen Playhouse box office, online at GeffenPlayhouse.com, via credit card phone order at (310) 208-5454, at all Ticketmaster outlets, or by calling Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Student rush tickets are available one hour prior to curtain for $15.

Photo Credit: Michael Lamont