Debra Winger headed to Broadway in David Mamet play

By Chris Barton

June 5, 2012 12 AM PT

Debra Winger will take the place of Laurie Metcalf in the Broadway cast of David Mamet’s upcoming play “The Anarchist,” alongside Patti LuPone.

Metcalf withdrew after a scheduling conflict.

Winger’s profile has risen in recent years, after she took a self-imposed six-year hiatus from Hollywood. She’s made occasional appearances on television, including a 2010 turn on “Law & Order,” HBO’s “In Treatment” and an onscreen comeback with Jonathan Demme’s 2008 feature, “Rachel Getting Married.” Winger is also scheduled to appear in this summer’s romantic comedy”Lola Versus,” which stars Greta Gerwig.

Winger rose to prominence in the ‘80s with Oscar-nominated roles in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “Terms of Endearment.” Her decision to step away from acting inspired a documentary on women in the entertainment industry, “Searching for Debra Winger.”

Winger has appeared onstage with roles in the American Repertory Theater’s 2001 production of Checkov’s “Ivanov” in Cambridge, Mass., and “The Exonerated” off-Broadway. For Mamet’s “The Anarchist,” Winger will be taking on the role of a prison warden.

The story of a former political activist seeking parole, “The Anarchist” will make its U.S. debut at an as-yet unnamed theater this fall. Mamet also will direct.

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