Kevin Bacon steps into ‘Rear Window’

If you've been to a play at the Old Globe Theatre over the last decade or so, or maybe happened to catch the musical "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" on Broadway, congratulations: You have officially leaped to within two degrees of Kevin Bacon.

It was announced today that the star of "Footloose" and more (not to mention the inspiration for the parlor game "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon") will take the lead role in Hartford Stage's world-premiere stage adaptation of the thriller "Rear Window" this fall.

The director: Darko Tresnjak, who's a former resident artistic director of the Globe (where he staged more than a dozen productions) and is now the Connecticut company's artistic chief.

Tresnjak also directed "Gentleman's Guide," which had a shared world-premiere production at the Globe and Hartford Stage before heading to Broadway, where it won the Tony Award for best musical and continues to run. (Tresnjak took home the Tony for direction.)

In "Rear Window," Bacon will star as a photographer who, while recuperating in his apartment from an injury, witnesses (from his window) what he believes may have been a murder.

The role was made famous by Jimmy Stewart in Alfred Hitchcock's 1954 movie version, adapted from a Cornell Woolrich story. The new stage adaptation is by Keith Reddin.

"I read Cornell Woolrich's classic crime story 'Rear Window' in high school, and it made a lasting impression," Tresnjak was quoted as saying at Broadway World. "I'm thrilled to have an opportunity to direct a stage version 30 years later, when the issues of surveillance and voyeurism have become even more pertinent.

"I can't imagine finer collaborators than Kevin and Keith in exploring the terrifying psychological landscape of this timeless thriller."

"Rear Window" will run Oct. 22 to Nov. 15.

Tresnjak was back at the Old Globe over the summer, directing a revival of "Kiss Me, Kate" that closed Aug. 9.

At Hartford next spring, he'll also direct a world-premiere adaptation of "Anastasia" (based on the two movie versions of the story). He'll be collaborating with writer Terrence McNally, lyricist Lynn Ahrens and composer Stephen Flaherty -- all of whom are also involved with the upcoming Globe world premiere of the dance musical "In Your Arms."

Bacon has done a smattering of stage work, including two Broadway shows: "Slab Boys" (1983) and "An Almost Holy Picture" (2002).