Even in these tough economic times, the Guthrie Theater is moving ahead with an ambitious, 21-play 2009-2010 season. Perhaps most intriguing for longtime Guthrie watchers is a chance to see Joe Dowling tread the boards. The theater's director will appear in Brian Friel's "Faith Healer," along with longtime company members Sally Wingert and Raye Birk.

The Wurtele Thrust will see classics "Macbeth," "The Importance of Being Earnest," "She Stoops to Conquer" and "M. Butterfly," directed by Theatre Latté Da's Peter Rothstein and starring Randy Reyes. (Oh, and "A Christmas Carol" will be on the thrust stage as well).

The McGuire Proscenium offers more diverse fare, including "Faith Healer"; Rebecca Gilman's riff on Isben, "Dollhouse"; an adaptation of the Noel Coward film, "Brief Encounter"; and "Ella," a biography of Ella Fitzgerald with a book by local playwright Jeff Hatcher and featuring Tina Fabrique in the title role.

The Joe Dowling Studio includes several guest productions by local and international theaters. The Guthrie will also team up with the Walker Art Center for the first time in several years, when Ireland's Druid Theater presents Enda Walsh's "The Walworth Farce."

Full details of the 2009-2010 season can be found here.