Hawke, Crudup Cast In Play Trilogy

The New York production of "The Coast of Utopia," Tom Stoppard's trilogy of plays lasting more than nine hours, will feature a cast that includes Billy Crudup, Ethan Hawke and Martha Plimpton, it was announced Tuesday.

Lincoln Center Theater will devote much of its 2006-07 season to "Utopia," the collective title for the three works. Among the more than two dozen actors in the mammoth production will be Richard Easton, Jennifer Ehle, Josh Hamilton, David Harbour and Brian F. O'Byrne.

"Utopia," which will be directed by Jack O'Brien, focuses on a group of 19th century Russian intellectuals, including novelist Ivan Turgenev and radical theorist Alexander Herzen, over a turbulent 30-year period.

It starts with "Voyage," opening Nov. 5, moves on to "Shipwreck," opening Dec. 21, and finishes with "Salvage," opening Feb. 15. The engagement at the Vivian Beaumont Theater ends March 11.

During the final three and a half weeks of the run, theatergoers will be able to see the plays in succession — including three dates (Feb. 24, March 3 and March 10) when all three can be viewed in one day.

"The Coast of Utopia" had its world premiere at the National Theatre in London in 2002.