Playwright Noah Haidle is going places -- namely, Hollywood

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Audiences at South Coast Repertory are well-versed in the strange world of playwright Noah Haidle. In the last few years, they have collectively taken the plunge into his surreal plays ‘Mr. Marmalade’ and ‘Princess Marjorie’ and will have the chance to revisit him this fall in his most recent drama, ‘Saturn Returns.’ Now, movie audiences will have a chance to experience some of the same writing talent that SoCal theatergoers have been privileged to know so intimately.
It was announced this week that Jon Amiel is slated to direct the movie ‘Old Timers’ for Sidney Kimmel Entertainment this year. The movie was written by Haidle and represents the young dramatist’s first big Hollywood project. Kimmel is producing the movie, with Jim Tauber and Bingham Ray taking on executive producing roles. The screenplay, which was reportedly written on spec, tells the story of two retired hit men who enjoy one wild night before one of them faces a deadly decision. No casting has been announced yet, but the search for talent has begun.

Haidle is definitely a playwright on a roll. Last fall, ‘Saturn Returns’ had a production at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in Lincoln Center. Over the years, Haidle’s work has been produced at other prominent companies like the Roundabout, the Long Wharf and the Rattlestick Playwrights Theater.

Culture Monster hopes that Hollywood doesn’t push his asking price too high. To get better acquainted with Haidle’s off-kilter universe, watch the above video produced by Boston’s Huntington Theatre Company in which the playwright explains a 2007 production of his drama ‘Persephone.’

-- David Ng