Dead Poets Society play: Jason Sudeikis to play the lead role of John Keating in a new off-Broadway production.
The new Dead Poets Society play will head to the New York stage in October.
Actor Jason Sudeikis is all set to play the lead role in the forthcoming off-Broadway production of Dead Poets Society. A new version of the play is set to play at Classic Stage Company, an off-Broadway theater in New York City.
Sudeikis, who has starred in the likes of Horrible Bosses and We’re The Millers, will play the role of John Keating in the stage production, a role made famous by the late, great Robin Williams in the original 1989 movie.
“I’m thrilled that Jason Sudeikis is taking on this iconic role,” said Classic Stage Company‘s artistic director John Doyle, who is directing the new play. “I felt it important that we find an actor like Jason who brings a fresh perspective.”
The story revolves around an inspirational English teacher, John Keating, who is introduced to an all-boys preparatory school that is known for its ancient traditions and high standards. He uses unorthodox methods to reach out to his students, who face enormous pressures from their parents and the school. With Keating’s help, students Neil Perry (Robert Sean Leonard in the original), Todd Anderson (Ethan Hawke in the 1989 movie) and others learn to break out of their shells, pursue their dreams and seize the day.
Tom Schulman is adapting his Academy Award winning screenplay for the new production.
Previews for the show commence October 27, and opening night is scheduled for November 17.
Sudeikis will next be seen on the big-screen in the ensemble comedy Masterminds, which hits US cinemas on September 30th. A UK release date for that movie, is yet to be decided.
