Theater News

Spike Lee to Direct Broadway Revival of Stalag 17

Spike Lee
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)
Spike Lee
(© Joseph Marzullo/Retna)

Spike Lee will direct a Broadway revival of Stalag 17, the 1951 play about American prisoners of war. The production is scheduled to open in Spring 2008; further details will be announced at a later date.

Written by Donald Bevan and Edmund Trzcinski, who were held as P.O.W.’s by the Germans in Austria during World War II, the play is set in a barrack somewhere in Germany in December 1944. Stalag 17 was first produced Off-Broadway at the Lambs Club but soon transferred to Broadway, where it was produced and directed by José Ferrer. The 1953 film version was directed by Billy Wilder and starred William Holden, who won an Academy Award for his performance. The Broadway revival will be produced by Michael Abbott, producer of the original Off-Broadway production.

Lee, who will make his theatrical debut with Stalag 17, is best known as the director, producer, and writer of such films as She Hate Me, Malcolm X, Do the Right Thing, School Daze, and She’s Gotta Have It.