SAM MENDES - MENDES TO RETURN TO BROADWAY

Oscar-winning director SAM MENDES is returning to Broadway to helm a new production of the DAVID HARE play THE VERTICAL HOUR, starring JULIANNE MOORE. It will be the AMERICAN BEAUTY film-maker's first theatre work since his revival of the musical GYPSY on the New York stage in 2003. The Vertical Hour will focus on post 9/11 politics with Moore playing American war correspondent NADIA BLYE, who teaches political studies at Yale University. The actress' last theatrical appearance was in 1992 when she appeared in VANYA - about a rehearsal for the CHEKHOV play UNCLE VANYA. The new play opens in November (06).