The American premiere of Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt's Enigma Variations, a two-hand psychological thriller starring Donald Sutherland and Jamey Sheridan, directed by Daniel Roussel at the Mark Taper Forum, will officially open May 6. Previews began April 24. Enigma plays through June 13.

Schmitt's drama focuses on a reclusive Nobel Prize-winning writer Abel Znorko (Sutherland) who gives an interview to a small-town journalist, Erik Larsen (Sheridan), that leads to a life-and-death battle of wits.

The creative team behind the play includes Ming Cho Lee (sets), Candice Cain (costumes), Robert Wierzel (lighting), Jon Gottleib (sound), Marc I. Rosenthal (projections) and Karl Fredrick Lundeberg (music). The production stage manager is Mark K. Klinger.

Taper artistic director Gordon Davidson produces, in association with Duncan Weldon, Francine Racette and Emmanuel Azenberg.

Sutherland's film career stretches back to the late 60's. Through landmark films such as "M*A*S*H," "Klute" and "Don't Look Now," he established himself as an keenly intelligent actor and an offbeat and popular film presence. Others film credits include "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," "Kelly's Heroes," and "Ordinary People." In recent years, he has taken to playing villains and supporting character roles, such as that of the coach in Robert Towne's recent "Without Limits." Schmitt is fast becoming a popular playwright in America. Recently, the Shuberts planned a Broadway engagement of his play The Visitor, starring Eli Wallach. (The production was subsequently postponed, owing to the lack of an appropriate theatre.)

For tickets to Enigma Variations call (213) 628-2772 or visit www.TaperAhmanson.com.

-- By Willard Manus
Southern California Correspondent
and Robert Simonson