Shia LaBeouf is to make his Broadway debut.

The Transformers actress is to take to the stage in New York in Orphans, starring opposite Alec Baldwin, who is returning to the prestigious theatre district for the first time since his 2004 appearance in Twentieth Century.

Shia will play Treat, a young orphaned thief who lives with his mentally disabled younger brother Phillip - a role not yet cast - and goes on to kidnap wealthy older man Harold (Baldwin). However, Treat and his sibling slowly realize that in Harold, they may have found the father figure they have always wanted.

Orphans originally premiered in 1983 in Los Angeles and this will be the first time it has been staged on Broadway. Previews for the production begin on March 19, 2013 at the Schoenfeld Theatre, with official opening night set for April 7.