Red Bull's 'Edward the Second' Announces Cast, Opens 12/15

Red Bull Theater proudly announces the world premiere of Garland Wright's adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's Edward the Second, beginning performances December 11 at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater (416 West 42nd Street), for a limited Off-Broadway engagement through January 13. Opening Night is set for December 15 and will be hosted by Mark Rylance.

Featured in the cast is Marc Vietor (from last season's highly acclaimed Revenger's Tragedy) as Edward II, with Arthur Bartow (Stone Cold Dead Serious), Rob Breckenridge, Wesley Broulik, Joseph Costa (Gore Vidal's The Best Man), William DeMerritt, Michael Gotch (Svejk), Davis Hall, Lucas Hall (Old Globe's Hamlet), Randy Harrison (Justin on Showtime's "Queer as Folk"), James Knight (Far and Wide), Claire Lautier (The Revenger's Tragedy), Terence MacSweeny, Raum-Aron, Derrick LeMont Sanders, Raphael Nash Thompson (Pericles), and Patrick Vaill.

Artistic Director Jesse Berger will direct this premiere production of Garland Wright's adaptation of Christopher Marlowe's masterpiece of sex and politics.  "In this intensely provocative play, King Edward the Second asserts his right to have the private life he desires, only to have his love, his life and his kingdom destroyed. Do those in power have the right to a personal life?  Should personal needs be sacrificed for "the greater good?"  Love at any cost? The greatest tragedy by Shakespeare's greatest peer comes to life in this entirely new version of Edward the Second," explain press notes. Red Bull Theater's production of Edward the Second will mark the first major professional production of Marlowe's masterpiece in New York City in over 30 years.

Tony Award-winner John Arnone (The Who's Tommy, The Goat) will provide set design for Edward the Second, with costume design by Clint Ramos (Revenger's Tragedy, References to Salvador Dali…, And God Created Whales) and lighting design by Peter West (Pericles, Nine Parts of Desire). Lortel Award winner Rick Sordelet will provide fight direction.

This season, Red Bull Theater moves uptown to the Peter Jay Sharp Theater at Playwrights Horizons, and expands to a two-play season, offering, in addition to Edward the Second, a new and expanded series of Revelation Readings – 9 plays from October 1 to January 21, a new play workshop, and a second full production to be announced later this season.

Performances of Edward the Second begin December 11 and will be Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8PM, Saturday at 2PM and 8PM, Sunday at 3 PM (except December 16t which will be at 7 PM); no performances December 25, 26, 30, January 1 or 8

Tickets will be from $20 to $50: $40 Regular tickets; $50 Premium Seating; $30 Age 30 & Under (w/ID); and $20 Student (w/ID). To purchase tickets, visit ticketcentral.com or call 212/279-4200. For more information visit www.redbulltheater.com