Photo Flash: First Look at David Suchet and More in THE LAST CONFESSION at the Ahmanson

The exclusive U.S. engagement of "The Last Confession," a gripping new play of intrigue and mystery by Roger Crane, starring David Suchet, opens June 11 at the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson Theatre. Directed by Jonathan Church, "The Last Confession" begins previews tomorrow, June 7, 2014, continues through July 6. Following the engagement at the Ahmanson, "The Last Confession" will tour cities around Australia. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the show below!

Set within the corridors of power in the Vatican, "The Last Confession" explores the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of Pope John Paul I who died in 1978, just 33 days after being elected and before he could set his liberal reforms into place. Suspicions are aroused when it is revealed that the new Pope had warned three of his most influential but hostile Cardinals that they would be replaced on the evening before his death. The Vatican refuses to conduct an official investigation into the death but the politically- savvy Cardinal Giovanni Benelli (played by Suchet), who had engineered the election of Pope John Paul I (played by Richard O?Callaghan) is determined to find the truth.

In addition to Suchet and O'Callaghan, the international cast includes David Bannerman, Nigel Bennett, Ezra Bix, Pier Carthew, Kevin Colson, Philip Craig, Donald Douglas, Sheila Ferris, David Ferry, Mark Hammersley, Peter Harding, Marvin Ishmael, Roy Lewis, Bernard Lloyd, Stuart Milligan, John O?May, Sam Parks and George Spartels.

Design for "The Last Confession" is by William Dudley, lighting by Peter Mumford, costumes by Fotini Dimou, music composed by Dominic Muldowney and sound design by Chris Cronin. Original London casting is by Joyce Nettles with Canadian casting by Stephanie Gorin.

"The Last Confession" is produced by Paul Elliott, Duncan C. Weldon and Liza McLean. It premiered at the Chichester Festival Theatre in April 2007 and then transferred to London?s West End in June of the same year.

Tickets for "The Last Confession" are available by calling (213) 972-4400, visiting www.CenterTheateGroup.org, or in person at the Center Theatre Group box office at the Ahmanson Theatre. Tickets range from $20-105 (ticket prices subject to change). The Ahmanson Theatre is located at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A. 90012. Presented as part of the Mark Taper Forum subscription season, the production is also a bonus option to Ahmanson season ticket holders.

Photo Credit: Cylla von Tiedemann