Elizabeth Olsen to Star in 'Romeo and Juliet' Off Broadway

NEW YORK - Elizabeth Olsen has committed to play Shakespeare's most tragic romantic heroine in Romeo and Juliet in an Off Broadway production that will launch Classic Stage Company's 2013-14 season in the fall. 

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The Romeo playing opposite Olsen's Juliet has not yet been named, but CSC anticipates announcing additional cast, creative team and exact dates for the production in the coming weeks.

While Olsen has previously understudied stage roles in New York, this will be her first time originating a major part.

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A Sundance favorite since her breakthrough performance in 2011 in Martha Marcy May Marlene, Olsen debuted two new films in Park City in January, Kill Your Darlings and Very Good Girls. Next up, she has Spike Lee's American remake of the Korean cult hit Old Boy, and the title role in Therese, based on the Emile Zola novel Therese Raquin.

Located in New York's East Village, CSC has become a major draw for name actors wanting to exercise their classical theater chops in innovative productions. Among those who have recently appeared onstage at the intimate venue are Ethan Hawke, Joely Richardson, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Christina Ricci, Bebe Neuwirth, F. Murray Abraham, Dianne Wiest, John Turturro and Alan Cumming.

CSC is currently running a well reviewed small-scale revival of the Stephen Sondheim-James Lapine musical Passion, through April 14. Next up for the company in May is Christopher Lloyd in Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle, featuring a new score by Duncan Sheik.