Jake Gyllenhaal Debuts Off-Broadway in ‘If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet’

Jake Gyllenhaal has signed on to make his American stage debut later this year.

Gyllenhaal will appear in British playwright Nick Payne’s comic drama “If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet.” The American debut of the play will be produced by the Roundabout Theatre Company in the Off-Broadway Laura Pels Theatre. The play is set to begin previews August 24 with an official opening September 20.

The Roundabout Theatre Company describes the play like this:

Fifteen-year-old Anna’s weight makes her a target for bullies. When her mom transfers Anna to the school where she teaches in order to protect her daughter, it only makes things worse. “If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet” is an entertaining look at a regular family stuck somewhere between knowing what the problem is… and doing something about it.

The play will be directed by Michael Longhurst, who will be making his New York directorial debut. The remaining members of the ensemble cast as well as the design team are expected to be announced soon. The play first premiered at London’s Bush Theatre in 2009.

Though he has never appeared on an American stage, Gyllenhaal made his British stage debut in 2002 during a London production of Kenneth Lonergan’s “This is Our Youth.” In that play, he starred opposite Hayden Christensen and Anna Paquin.

Gyllenhaal was nominated for an Oscar for his performance in 2006’s “Brokeback Mountain.” Though he has appeared in movies since the early 1990s, his breakout roles came in 1999 with “October Sky” and in 2001 when he played the title character in “Donnie Darko.” His next screen appearance is scheduled to be in “End of Watch,” a police drama set in South Central Los Angeles. He will star in the film along with Michael Pena, Anna Kendrick and America Ferrera.