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Rebecca Hall to make Broadway debut in 'Machinal'

British actress Rebecca Hall attends the "British Independent Film Awards" at Old Billingsgate Market in London on December 4, 2011. UPI/Rune Hellestad
British actress Rebecca Hall attends the "British Independent Film Awards" at Old Billingsgate Market in London on December 4, 2011. UPI/Rune Hellestad | License Photo

NEW YORK, May 28 (UPI) -- British actress Rebecca Hall is to make her Broadway debut in a new production of "Machinal" by playwright Sophie Treadwell, producers said Tuesday.

Directed by Lyndsey Turner, the production is to begin previews Dec. 20. Opening night is set for Jan. 16 at the American Airlines Theatre.

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The Roundabout Theatre Company said this will be a limited engagement and the full cast and creative team will be announced soon.

"Inspired by the infamous 1927 murder trial of Ruth Snyder, 'Machinal' is a gripping drama by American journalist and playwright Sophie Treadwell," a synopsis said. "It's America's Golden Age, a time of happiness, freedom and prosperity -- or is it? For the Young Woman, a stenographer in the industrial, male-dominated world of the 1920s, life is nothing like she hoped it would be. Restless and unfulfilled in a passionless marriage and unwanted motherhood, she finds her only joy in the form of an illicit love affair. But when reality sets in and she must return to her routine existence, she'll go to any lengths to regain her freedom."

"Machinal" premiered in New York in 1928 featuring Clark Gable in his Broadway debut. It opened in London in 1931 under the title of "The Life Machine." The play was revived in 1993 in London. It featured Fiona Shaw, Ciaran Hinds and John Woodvine, and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Revival.

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Hall can currently be seen in the blockbuster movie "Iron Man 3." Her other film credits include "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," "The Town," "Dorian Gray," "Frost/Nixon," "The Prestige" and "Starter for 10." She was recently seen in the TV miniseries "Parade's End."

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