Directed by Steve Cosson, the William Luce solo play will officially open Oct. 19. 

Richardson starred on the TV show "Nip/Tuck" from 2003-10. Her stage work includes Madame Melville, Ivanov, Side Effects and The Lady From the Sea. Her film credits include "Wetherby," "Drowning By Numbers," "101 Dalmatians" and "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo."

"In The Belle of Amherst, Emily Dickinson welcomes audiences into her lifelong Amherst homestead in mid-19th century Massachusetts," press notes state. "While Dickinson found solace in solitude through much of her life, acclaimed playwright William Luce weaves her poems, diaries, and letters into a one-woman portrait of one of America’s greatest and most prolific poets, mixing Dickinson’s encounters with close friends and family with the poet’s own, often amusing observations. The Belle Of Amherst illuminates a brilliant wordsmith through the words she left behind."

The creative team includes Antje Ellermann (scenic design), William Ivey Long (costume design), David Weiner (lighting design) and Daniel Kluger (sound design).

The Belle of Amherst was produced on Broadway in 1976, starring Tony winner Julie Harris. Both the 1976 and 2014 productions are presented by Don Gregory. 

The Westside Theatre is located at 407 West 43rd Street. Visit BelleOfAmherstPlay.com for more information.