Austin Butler, Orson Bean & More to Star in DEATH OF THE AUTHOR at Geffen Playhouse this Summer

Orson Bean (Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Being John Malkovich, Desperate Housewives), Austin Butler (The Carrie Diaries, Aliens in the Attic, Ruby and the Rockits), David Clayton Rogers (Nashville, Mixology, Jane by Design), and Lyndon Smith (Parenthood 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 these 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.

Death of the Author was selected as part of Manhattan Theatre Club's 7@7 reading series in 2012.

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.

The design team for the production include Takeshi Kata (Scenic Design), Christina Haatainen Jones (Costume Design), Lap Chi Chu (Lighting Design), John Ballinger (Sound Design), Cate Cundiff and Jessica Aguilar (Production Stage Managers).

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.

Photo: © RD / Orchon / Retna Digital