Actress Annette Bening is set to make a return to the New York stage after almost 26 years.

The American Beauty star has been cast as the villainous Goneril in the Shakespeare in the Park production of King Lear this summer (14), opposite John Lithgow.

After years of starring in motion pictures, the project marks Bening's return to the New York theatre scene for the first time since her Tony Award-nominated role in 1988's Coastal Disturbances.

Joining Bening and Lithgow in the open-air production are Jessica Hecht and Jessica Collins. The revival runs from 22 July to 17 August (14).