Luna Stage Presents A Star-Studded Benefit Reading of King Lear

Stars André Braugher, Ami Brabson, SuzzAnne Douglas, Frankie Faison, and many more will perform in a staged reading of King Lear by William Shakespeare for two performances only: Saturday January 7th, 2012 at 7pm and Sunday January 8th, 2012 at 5pm. The reading, a benefit for Luna Stage, will feature a full African-American cast, directed by internationally-acclaimed Shakespearean director, Rob Clare. Tickets are $100 for the performance and $125 for the performance plus a post-show reception with the cast. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased in person, on the phone at 973-395-5551, or on the Luna Stage website: www.lunastage.org.

Unaware of what the consequences will be for his family, King Lear divides his kingdom’s land among his daughters. Ultimately he loses a child and places his kingdom in peril. The notion of making choices for political gain rather than the stability of a family or nation could hardly be more relevant, and actress SuzzAnne Douglas feels that exploring this timeless masterpiece with an African-American cast adds another level of resonance and immediacy.

A member of Luna Stage’s Board of Directors, Frankie Faison has appeared on Broadway (Tony and Drama Desk nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the brain-damaged Gabriel to James Earl Jones’ Troy Maxon in August Wilson’s Fences), countless films and in the acclaimed television drama The Wire.

Star of stage and screen, Andre Braugher is best known for his roles in the television series, Homicide and Men of a Certain Age, and was last seen on stage playing the lead role in The Whipping Man at Manhattan Theatre Club to great critical acclaim.

NAACP Image Award-winning actress SuzzAnne Douglas has performed on Broadway (The Three Penny Opera), in film (starring opposite Angela Bassett in “How Stella Got Her Groove Back”) and the small screen (WB Network’s “The Parent’ Hood” starring Robert Townsend). Ami Brabson has played a number of recurring roles on hit television series such as The Jury, Damages and Law and Order, and has performed the works of Shakespeare, August Wilson, and other luminaries at regional theatres across the country. Ms. Douglas and Ms. Brabson portrayed the two sisters in Luna’s sold out run of The Old Settler in the fall of 2010.

Director Rob Clare is an internationally acclaimed Shakespeare specialist. He was Staff Director at the UK National Theatre (where he first worked on King Lear, with Anthony Hopkins in the title role), Associate Artistic Director of Compass Theatre (UK touring), and led the MA Classical Acting program at the Central School on London. Now based in NYC, Mr. Clare is currently directing The Tempest at Juilliard while also leading an extended Shakespeare workshop for the NYU Graduate Acting Program.

Luna Stage is located at 555 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ 07052. 973-395-5551. The theatre is handicapped accessible and assisted listening devices are available. For information on the King Lear Benefit and all other events and programs at Luna Stage, visit the company website: www.lunastage.org.

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