CST Opens 10th Season on Navy Pier With RICHARD III 9/23

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) kicks off the 2009/10 Subscription Series with Richard III, William Shakespeare's tale of a brilliant, scheming hunchback who murders and seduces his way to the English throne. The production will be staged by Chicago Shakespeare Theater Artistic Director Barbara Gaines with Helen Hayes Award-winner Wallace Acton in the title role. Richard III runs September 23 through November 22, 2009 in the Courtyard Theater. Tickets are $44-$75 and may be purchased by calling Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or by visiting the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Shakespeare's first great stage success, and one of his most enduring, Richard III has entertained
audiences around the world for centuries. As the final chapter of the playwright's sweeping chronicle of the English Wars of the Roses, Richard III dramatizes the life of one of the most diabolical and manipulative, yet charming and witty villains in Shakespeare's canon. Embittered by his own physical deformities, the power-hungry Richard will stop at nothing to gain control of England, seducing and murdering his way to the throne. Since its stage premiere in 1592 with Shakespeare's colleague Richard Burbage in the title role, audiences worldwide have been fascinated by Richard III.

The American tradition of translating Shakespeare's works to film began with André Calmettes and James Keane's 1912 silent version of Richard III- believed to be the oldest known complete surviving film made in America. The play continued to be referenced in films such as Neil Simon's 1977 comedy, The Goodbye Girl, in which Elliott, performed in the film by Richard Dreyfuss, is cast in a production of Richard III and asked to perform an outlandish stereotype of the title character.

Al Pacino explored the complexity and the physicality of the title character in his 1996 documentary, Looking for Richard.

"Richard is one of Shakespeare's most brilliant characters," says Artistic Director Barbara Gaines.
"As he seduces us as his audience, we become complicit in his crimes. He plays with us, toys with
us, manipulates us. We know we're being manipulated but it's such an enjoyable ride and he's such
an interesting character that we don't care."

Taking on the title role and making his Chicago Shakespeare Theater debut is Wallace Acton.
Mr. Acton frequently performs at Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington D.C. with credits
that include Hamlet, Richard II, Richard III, Antony and Cleopatra and Henry VI. Other regional credits
include performances at Freedom Stage, Signature Theatre, Woolly Mammoth and Arena Stage.
Acton will join CST stage veterans Kevin Gudahl as Duke of Buckingham, John Reeger as Lord Stanley,
Angela Ingersoll as Lady Anne, Dan Kenney as Sir William Catesby, Matt DeCaro as Edward IV,
Wendy Robie as Queen Elizabeth, Mary Ann Thebus as Duchess of York and Marc Grapey as
Lord Mayor of London. The cast also includes: Jennifer Harmon as Queen Margaret; Phillip James
Brannon as Duke of Clarence; Mark D. Hines as Ghost of Henry VI; John Lister as Lord Hastings;
Andi Bohs as Mistress Shore; Kevin Cox as First Murderer; Brendan Marshall-Rashid as Richmond;
Steve Pringle as Scrivener; Juan Gabriel Ruiz as Lord Grey; Demetrios Troy as Lord Rivers;
James Anthony Zoccoli as Sir Robert Brakenbury, and the children played by Scott Baity, Jr.,
Samuel L. Johnston, Matthew Heffernan and Joshua Heinlein.
Directing the production and leading the creative team is Chicago Shakespeare Theater Artistic
Director Barbara Gaines who, since founding the company in 1986, has directed more than 30 of
William Shakespeare's plays. Last season she directed the critically acclaimed Macbeth, following
her 2008 staging of The Comedy of Errors, which garnered four Joseph Jefferson Awards,
including Best Production and Best Director of a Play. She is a recipient of the prestigious Honorary
OBE (Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in recognition of her contributions
strengthening British-American cultural relations. In 2010, she will make her debut at the Lyric Opera
in Chicago, directing a new production of Verdi's Macbeth, featuring Thomas Hampson in the title
role. In partnership with Executive Director Criss Henderson, Ms. Gaines has broadened CST's
artistic programming to encompass, alongside Shakespeare's canon, theatrical presentations for
students and families, musicals, and collaborations with international theater artists. Recognized for
its consistent level of artistic achievement contributing to the growth of theater nationally, CST has
been honored with the 2008 Regional Theatre Tony Award as well as three of London's Laurence
Olivier Awards and 54 Joseph Jefferson Awards for Artistic Excellence in Chicago Theatre.
Gaines is joined by a veteran CST creative team that includes: Scenic Designer Neil Patel; Costume
Designer Susan E. Mickey; Lighting Designer Robert Wierzel; Sound Designer Lindsay Jones; Wig
and Makeup Designer Melissa Veal; Properties Master Michelle N. Warner; Fight Choreographer
Robin H. McFarquhar and Verse Coach Kevin Gudahl.
Richard III runs September 23 through November 22, 2009 in the Courtyard Theater at Chicago
Shakespeare Theater. For further information and to purchase tickets, call the Box Office at
312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

 

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