The world premiere will play UCLA's Freud Playhouse Sept. 18-Oct. 18 with an official opening Sept. 23. Lenka Udovicki directs. Bening will be joined onstage by the newly announced Angus Macfadyen as Jason, Mary Lou Rosato as the nurse, Daniel Davis as Kreon, Hugo Armstrong as Aigeus and Joseph Ruskin as the tutor.

Composer Nigel Osborne is collaborating on an original score with Los Angeles-based Persian music group The Lian Ensemble, who will perform onstage during the play. The production will also feature costume design by Bjanka Adzic Ursulov, choreography by Mladen Vasari, lighting design by Lap Chi Chu and scenic design by Richard Hoover.

Bening stars in the classic "about the passionate and destructive affair between the mortal Greek hero Jason and the mystical and exotic Medea. . . . Udovicki, who has directed theater and opera around the world, incorporates classical elements, such as a 12-woman chorus and on-stage musicians, into this stylized modern staging," according to the official UCLA Live website.

On Broadway Annette Bening starred in Coastal Disturbances, earning a Theatre World Award and a Tony nomination for her performance. She was Oscar-nominated for her roles in "Being Julia," "American Beauty" and "The Grifters."

For more information visit www.uclalive.org.