Kevin Kline to replace Christopher Walken in Mother Courage

Arts News

By Amy Somensky Jul 17, 2006, 2:50 GMT

New York: Kevin Kline has replaced Christopher Walken as cook in the Public Theater's upcoming Shakespeare in the Park production of Mother Courage. Walken had to withdraw due to scheduling conflicts.

Kevin KlineMeryl Streep leads a cast that includes Jack Noseworthy, Frederick Weller, Austin Pendelton, Geoffrey Arend, Alexandria Wailes, and Jenifer Lewis.The production, written by Bertolt Brecht and adapted by Tony Kushner, begins previews on August 8th and officially opens on August 21st for a run through September 3rd. Jeanine Tesori has written original music for the piece and George C. Wolfe directs. The creative team features scenic design by Riccardo Hernandez, costume design by Marina Draghici, lighting design by Paul Gallo, sound design by Acme Sound Partners, and projection design by Batwin and Robin.In the play, we follow Mother Courage over a period of 12 years as one by one her children Kattrin, Eilif and Swiss Cheese are taken away by a vicious war. As Mother Courage seeks to profit from the war that is killing her children, she questions the roles of honesty, virtue and family in the face of a bitter struggle for survival.Tickets are free and will be available on the day of the performance (two per person) at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park beginning at 1:00 p.m. and at The Public Theater, 425 Lafayette Street from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.