Casting Announced For Shakespeare's Political Thriller CORIOLANUS

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago continues its 23rd Theatrical Reading Season with free performances of Shakespeare's rarely produced political thriller The Tragedy of Coriolanus, running Jan. 12-16, 2018, at six Chicago-area venues.

One of Shakespeare's Roman tragedies, the play recounts the journey of a successful Roman general, who after achieving multiple successes in the military, turns his ambition to politics and leadership of his people. However, his personality and temperament are ill-suited for his new role and he is ultimately deposed. Seeking revenge against his enemies, and in his attempt to reclaim his power and prestige, he forges alliances with others that ultimately lead to his demise.

Associate Artistic Director Barbara Zahora directs a cast that includes Gary Alexander (Citizen, Senator, Soldier, Herald, Aedile, Servant, Conspirator), Matthew Fahey (Citizen, Messenger, Soldier Messenger, Commoner), Tony Dobrowolski (Menenius Agrippa, Volscian Soldier, Commoner), Jack Hickey (Sicinius Velutus, Volscian Solder, Commoner), Timothy Hull (Caius Martius/Coriolanus), Razz Jenkins (Junius Brutus, Volscian Soldier, Commoner), Marcia Kazurinsky (Valeria, Citizen, Soldier, Servant, Commoner), Doug MacKechnie (Titus Lartius, Servant, Watch, Conspirator), Khnemu Menu-Ra (Young Martius, Citizen, Senator, Volscian Soldier, Patrician, Attendant), Monica Orozco (Virgilia, Messenger, Roman Soldier, Volscian Soldier, Citizen, Lieutenant, Commoner), Matt Penn (Cominius, Commoner), Bart Williams (Senator, Servant, Messenger, Soldier, Conspirator), Sara Williams (Tullus Aufidius) and Kate Young (Volumnia, Commoner).

The production features music and sound design by George Zahora. Taty Sampson is the assistant director and Brynne Barnard is dramaturg and text coach.

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago's Theatrical Readings are fully staged, book-in-hand performances featuring members of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.

Admission is free and seating is limited. All performances are preceded by an introduction to the play that commences 15 minutes prior to curtain.

Performance schedule

• Fri., Jan. 12, 7 p.m., Niles-Maine District Library, 6960 W. Oakton St., Niles (registration required, 847-663-1234)
• Sat., Jan. 13, 10 a.m., The Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago
• Sat., Jan. 13, 2 p.m., Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
• Sun., Jan. 14, 2 p.m., Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park
• Mon., Jan. 15, 6:30 p.m., Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire (registration required, 847-634-3650)
• Tue., Jan. 16, 7:15 p.m., Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect (registration required, 847-253-5675)

The Shakespeare Projects's 2017/18 Theatrical Reading Season kicked off in October with Shakespeare's As You Like It, directed by J.R. Sullivan. In February, the Project will continue its examination of the work of Shakespeare's contemporary Thomas Middleton with Women Beware Women, directed by Michelle Shupe and Kelly Lynn Hogan. The season will culminate in May with Peter Garino directing Shakespeare's comedy Much Ado About Nothing.

For more information, visit www.shakespeareprojectchicago.org and www.facebook.com/shakespeareprojectchicago.