Whoriskey: Intiman's next American Cycle may include works by John Irving, Ralph Ellison

Kate Whoriskey has not settled on a schedule of shows for her first season at Intiman Theatre — where she has been named to succeed Bartlett Sher as artistic director — but she is already kicking around a few ideas for the company's American Cycle.

The first five-year cycle of iconic pieces of American literature, which has proved popular at the box office and spurred many adjunct community readings and other events, concludes later this year with Intiman's fall presentation of "Abe Lincoln in Illinois," by Robert Sherwood.

Whoriskey said that possibilities for the next multiyear cycle include shows based on the novels "The Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison, "The World According to Garp" by John Irving and unspecified work by Louise Erdrich.

Whoriskey also spoke recently of initiating an "international cycle" for the Intiman, with staged literature based on collaborations with artists from other foreign countries that she says are "underpresented" in American theater fare.

The Intiman has hired Whoriskey to serve as co-artistic director with Bartlett Sher through the 2010 season. In 2011, she will become the company's sole artistic leader.

Misha Berson: mberson@seattletimes.com

Richard Ellison is the author of "Invisible Man," not Richard Wright, as this story read when originally published on June 22, 2009.