OEDIPUS REX Set for 'Great Authors Out Loud' Series at Centenary Stage Today

A "tragic flaw" brings down a king in Sophocles' timeless story of Oedipus, a tale which has been studied the world over by experts in the field of theatre, literature and psychology since its initial viewing in 429 B.C.

Renowned actors and directors Randall Duk Kim and Anne Occhiogrosso return to the Centenary Stage to lead the popular Great Authors Out Loud Series this season, opening with the legendary classic Oedipus Rex today, September 15th at 3 pm in The Kutz Theatre of the Lackland Center in Hackettstown. The complexity of this Greek Tragedy has created a stir of controversy and intrigue over the years and continues to hold secrets and insights into the human experience.

The Great Authors Series of free staged readings covers classics from some of the world's greatest playwrights. The 2013-14 season will include "Tales of Terror" on October 27th, Three French Farces on February 9th, and The Merchant of Venice on April 6th.

Together with Charles Bright, theatre luminaries Randall Duk Kim and Annie Occhiogrosso founded the classical American Players Theatre (APT) in Spring Green, Wisconsin in 1981, and have worked together for 35 years. Winner of the OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence, Kim began his early career with the legendary Joe Papp and the New York Public Theatre's Shakespeare Festival, and continued to perform leading roles at some of America's finest regional theatres. He has been seen on Broadway in FLOWER DRUM SONG, GOLDEN CHILD and THE KING AND I, but perhaps is most recognized as The Keymaker in the film MATRIX RELOADED, and the voice of Oogway in the DreamWorks' animated film KUNG FU PANDA. Mr. Kim's TV and film work includes the BBC Special Prisoner in Time, Anna and the King, Memoirs of a Geisha, Ninja Assassin, and more.

Director Anne Occhiogrosso has received national recognition for her work with APT. She is an acclaimed director, dramaturge, acting coach and actor, whose primary focus has been classical theatre with a special emphasis on the works of William Shakespeare. She has also taught at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting and the New York Shakespeare Festival and currently works with Classical Productions, Inc. where she coaches individuals in audition preparation, character development and script analysis for film, television and theater.

The Oedipus Rex presentation, sponsored by Fulton Bank, will be held today, September 15th at 3 PM in the Kutz Black Box Theatre in The Lackland Center at 715 Grand Avenue in Hackettstown, NJ. Admission is free, but reservations are requested. Patrons interested in attending should make reservations by calling the CSC box office at (908) 979-0900 or visit the website at centenarystageco.org. Each presentation is followed by a lively discussion with the audience and artists.

Pictured: Randall Duk Kim - in the Great Authors Reading Series at Centenary Stage.

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