Martin McDonagh’s new play to debut in March on Broadway

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It’s seemed lately that playwright Martin McDonagh had defected for good to the world of cinema. Earlier this year, he received an Oscar nomination for his screenplay for ‘In Bruges’ starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson and Ralph Fiennes. In 2006, he won the golden statuette for his short film ‘Six Shooter.’

But the London-born writer’s latest project is bringing him back to the live theater -- and in a very grand way. ‘A Behanding in Spokane’ is set to have its world premiere March 4 on Broadway. The name of the theater and the four-member cast will be announced later.

Directed by John Crowley (who also staged McDoangh’s ‘The Pillowman’ on Broadway), the play is described as a dark comedy about a man searching for his missing hand, two con artists with a plan and a hotel clerk. ‘Beheadling’ is McDonagh’s first American-set play and his first to have its world premiere on Broadway.

A four-time Tony nominee, McDonagh has had four previous plays produced on Broadway: ‘The Beauty Queen of Leenane,’ ‘The Lonesome West,’ ‘The Pillowman’ and ‘The Lieutenant of Inishmore.’

L.A. audiences missed a chance to see ‘Inishmore’ when the Mark Taper Forum postponed the production from its 2009 season to the summer of 2010.

-- David Ng

Photo: Martin McDonagh, with his Oscar. Credit: Agence France-Presse