JOHN PIELMEIER’s WORLD PREMIERE

ADAPTATION OF THE EXORCIST

OPENS AT THE GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE

Cast Features David Wilson Barnes, Stephen Bogardus, Richard Chamberlain, Manoel Felciano, Harry Groener, Tom Nelis, Roslyn Ruff, Brooke Shields and Emily Yetter

Helmed by Tony Award Winner John Doyle

Opening Night July 11, 2012

LOS ANGELES, July 9, 2012 — John Pielmeier’s world premiere adaptation of The Exorcist, featuring stage and screen stars Brooke Shields and Richard Chamberlain in the iconic roles of Chris MacNeil and Father Merrin, opens at the Geffen Playhouse on July 11, 2012.  Helmed by acclaimed director John Doyle, who won a Tony Award for his striking reimagining of Sweeney Todd, this stage adaptation of William Peter Blatty’s famous 1971 novel transforms the unsettling battles of good versus evil, faith versus fact and ego versus ethos into a uniquely theatrical experience as sophisticated as it is suspenseful.  

Joining Shields and Chamberlain on stage is Broadway actor David Wilson Barnes (The Lieutenant of Inishmore) as the troubled young priest Father Damien Karras, Tony Award nominee and Geffen alum Harry Groener (Equivocation) as Chris’ charismatic director Burke Dennings and UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television graduate Emily Yetter as young Regan MacNeil.  The world premiere cast also includes Stephen Bogardus, Manoel Felciano, Tom Nelis and Roslyn Ruff. (Full biographical information on all cast members is available at the bottom of the release.)

 In addition to the accomplished cast, The Exorcistshowcases an award-winning design team – including world-renowned creative consultant Teller (the quiet half of the world-famous duo Penn & Teller) and internationally acclaimed spiritual composer Sir John Tavener– to bring Pielmeier’s script and Doyle’s vision to life on stage.  The team also includes Tony Award winning scenic/costume designer Scott Pask, lighting designer Jane Coxand sound designer Dan Moses Schreier. Working with Doyle, the design team will be tasked with creating a theatrical experience that engages the senses in a way that is unique to live performance. 

 Opening night festivities, which are sponsored by Audi of America and Los Angelesmagazine, will be held at the Geffen Playhouse. The evening will feature culinary delights provided by Ronen Levy Events as well as a unique Exorcist-themed cake and Audlicious cupcakes designed by Richard Ruskell Patries’ pastry chef Richard Ruskell with drinks provided by Malibu Family Wines and Eternal Water.

 

The Exorcist 

A play by John Pielmeier

Adapted from the novel by William Peter Blatty

Directed by John Doyle

Opening Night: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 

Closing Night: Sunday, August 12, 2012

 

Cast

David Wilson Barnes                  Father Damien Karras

Stephen Bogardus                     Dr. Strong

Richard Chamberlain                  Father Merrin

Manoel Felciano                        Father Joe

Harry Groener                            Burke Dennings

Tom Nelis                                  Dr. Klein

Roslyn Ruff                                Carla

Brooke Shields                          Chris MacNeil

Emily Yetter                              Regan MacNeil

 

Production Credits

Scenic & Costume Designer       Scott Pask

Lighting Designer                       Jane Cox

Sound Designer                         Dan Moses