Naomi Jacobson, Andy Brownstein, et al. Set to Lead Signature's GOD OF CARNAGE

Last season, Signature Theatre brought the comedy Art to the stage. Now, the Tony Award®-winning Theatre is home to the Washington premiere of another comedy from the incisive mind of Yasmina Reza, as God of Carnage begins performances on April 10th, and runs through June 24th. Directed by Helen Hayes award-winner Joe Calarco (Urinetown, Assassins, and Side Show at Signature), God of Carnage is described as "a scathing dark comedy that gleefully flouts the perception of human 'civility.'"

Most recently adapted for film with an all-star cast by Roman Polanski, the play took home 3 Tony Awards® in 2009, including “Best Play.”

God of Carnage features a cast of DC favorites, including Helen Hayes award-winners Naomi Jacobson (Richard II at Shakespeare Theatre Company and Vigils at Woolly Mammoth Theatre) and Andy Brownstein (for Assassins at Signature), with Paul Morella (Angels in America at Signature) and Vanessa Lock (Nest and In the Absence of Spring at Signature). The esteemed creative team features James Kronzer (scenic design), Kathleen Geldard (costume design), Colin K. Bills (lighting design), and Matt Rowe (sound design).

“I can't wait to dive into Yasmina Reza's fantastic play,” said Calarco. “It's lean, hilarious, and provocative. Just one set and four amazing actors. It doesn't get much better than that.”

In Reza’s play, two upper-class New York couples meet one evening to discuss a playground incident between their sons. It doesn’t take long before the pleasantries are tossed aside and tempers begin to flare, loyalties shift, and the parents devolve into children. As she is famous for, Reza ferociously strips her over-achieving characters down to their savage core.

Eric Schaeffer, Signature Theatre’s Artistic Director, stated, “We are delighted to be able to treat Washington to another remarkably incisive and entertaining play by Ms. Reza. The cast we have assembled here is extraordinary and Joe, with his incredible sense of creativity in his staging and approach to the text, is the perfect person to direct this wonderfully wicked show.”