Orson Bean, known for his roles in “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” and “Being John Malkovich,” Austin Butler from “The Carrie Diaries,” “Aliens in the Attic” and  “Ruby and the Rockits,” David Clayton Rogers from “Nashville” and “Mixology” and Lyndon Smith from “Parenthood” and the upcoming “The Forger” with John Travolta have been announced as the cast of “Death of the Author,” a world premiere by Pulitzer Prize nominated playwright, Steven Drukman, directed by Bart DeLorenzo, to be performed at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse beginning May 28.

DeLorenzo returns to the Geffen Playhouse after directing Coney Island Christmas, by Donald Margulies, in 2012. Previews begin May 20; opening night is May 28.

Recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award and the Theatre Development Grant from the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation, “Death of the Author” follows a young professor who suspects a student of plagiarism. His inquiry sparks a chain of events affecting the lives of four people in very real terms. Drukman’s beautifully drawn characters must navigate heartbreak, blind ambition and the cutthroat competition that thrives within the ivy-covered walls. Extending beyond post-modern literature and academic rigors, this smart, funny and engrossing world premiere becomes a personal battle to decide what is right, what is wrong and what must be done.

Director Bart DeLorenzo has received multiple awards for his directing achievements including the 2013 Milton Katselas Award for career or special achievement in direction from the Los Angeles Drama Critic’s Association, and the 2011 Alan Schneider Director Award from Theatre Communications Group.

Opening night is May 28 in the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10866 Le Conte Avenue, LA 90024

Previews: Tuesday, May 20 – Tuesday, May 27.

Closing night is Sunday, June 29
Performance Schedule
Monday             No performance
Tuesday – Friday           8:00pm
Saturday          3:00pm; 8:00pm
Sunday            2:00pm; 7:00pm
Ticket Information
Tickets are $57-$72 and are available in-person at the Geffen Playhouse box office, via phone at (310) 208-5454 or online at www.geffenplayhouse.com.

Photos courtesy Geffen Playhouse.