For Immediate Release: Press Contact: Liza Holtmeier May 4, 2006 202.608.6302 LHoltmeier@ShakespeareTheatre.org SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY S 2005 2006 SEASON ENDS WITH Love s Labor s Lost BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRECTED BY MICHAEL KAHN PRODUCTION WILL TRAVEL TO ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY S COMPLETE WORKS FESTIVAL IN STRATFORD UPON AVON, ENGLAND, FOR TWO WEEKS OF PERFORMANCES IN AUGUST WASHINGTON, D.C. The Shakespeare Theatre Company ends its 2005 2006 season with William Shakespeare s Love s Labor s Lost, directed by Michael Kahn. The production runs in Washington, D.C. from June 6 to July 30, 2006, and then travels to the Royal Shakespeare Company s Complete Works Festival in Stratford upon Avon for two weeks of performances in August. For the production, Kahn directs a cast that includes Amir Arison, Colleen Delany, Aubrey Deeker, Floyd King, Claire Lautier, Sabrina LeBeauf, Angela Pierce, David Sabin, Erik Steele, Hank Stratton, Ted van Griethuysen and Geraint Wyn Davies. The play is sponsored by the HRH Foundation, with additional support provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. Media partner Washington Flyer provides promotional support throughout the run. Rich with rhymed verse, wordplay and witty banter, Love s Labor s Lost begins with the King of Navarre and three other men renouncing the world s pleasures especially women for the world of academia. But when the Princess of France and her three ladies arrive, the men find themselves helplessly falling in love. Feeling that a life of study without love is a life without meaning, the four men decide to devote themselves to wooing, only to be rebuffed and mocked by the ladies. Shakespeare depicts a battle of the sexes with clever repartee equaling that of Much Ado s Beatrice and Benedick. Reading the play again, I was struck by the parallels between the fashionable characters satirized by Shakespeare and the celebrities of the 1960s, Kahn said. Like the characters in Shakespeare s play, many of the rich and famous in the 60s also went in search of enlightenment, traveling to India to study with the Maharishi. The play also deals with gender relationships, which were revolutionized in the 60s. Women were becoming more powerful, while men were becoming more feminine. Men were wearing long hair, and women were wearing pants. With these ideas in mind, I decided to set the play in India in the 1960s. I don t believe in changing periods just to change periods. By changing the time and place for this production, I think we will illuminate the play s ideas while making the satire clearer.
THE CAST Amir Arison makes his Shakespeare Theatre Company debut as King Ferdinand of Navarre. Arison has performed in Off Broadway productions of Beast on the Moon, Modern Orthodox, Omnium Gatherum, Merchant on Venice and Candy and Dorothy. Regional credits include Dorset Theatre Festival, Shakespeare Festival of St. Louis, PaperMill Playhouse and McCarter Theatre. Colleen Delany returns to the Shakespeare Theatre Company to play Katherine. Delany last appeared at the Theatre as Desdemona in Othello. Other credits with the Theatre include roles as Louisa Strozzi in Lorenzaccio and Thaisa in Pericles. Delany is well known to Washington audiences, having performed at Arena Stage, Signature Theatre, Folger Theatre, Studio Theatre and Woolly Mammoth. She made her Chicago stage debut in Mary Zimmerman s production of Silk and returned earlier this year for the Goodman s reprise of the Shakespeare Theatre Company s production of Pericles. Aubrey Deeker returns to play Dumaine, who falls in love with Katherine. Deeker made his Shakespeare Theatre Company debut as Tebaldeo in Lorenzaccio. Deeker s Washington theatre credits include performances with Studio Theatre, Round House Theatre, Woolly Mammoth/Theater J, Ford s Theatre, Kennedy Center, Folger Theatre, Theater Alliance and Olney Theatre, among many others. Floyd King returns to play Boyet, a lord attending on the Princess of France. King last appeared in the Theatre s production of The Persians as one of the counselors. Other recent Shakespeare Theatre Company credits include The Comedy of Errors, The Tempest, Lorenzaccio, Pericles, Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2, The Rivals, Richard III, The Silent Woman, Hamlet, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Don Carlos, Camino Real and The Country Wife. King also has appeared in regional productions at the Folger Theatre, Woolly Mammoth, Studio Theatre, Alley Theatre and Pittsburgh Public Theater, among others. Claire Lautier returns to play the Princess of France. Lautier made her Shakespeare Theatre Company debut as Roxane in Cyrano. Lautier s credits include the Broadway production of Hedda Gabler, the world premiere of Great Expectations (Derby Playhouse and Walnut Street Theatre), and productions with Center Stage, Westport Country Playhouse, George St. Playhouse, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Sabrina LeBeauf returns to play Rosaline. LeBeauf last appeared at the Theatre as Beatrice in the Free For All production of Much Ado about Nothing. Perhaps best known for her role as the eldest daughter on The Cosby Show, LeBeauf has appeared at the Theatre as Helena in All s Well That Ends Well, Cordelia in King Lear and Rosalind in As You Like It. Her regional credits include performances with The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, George Street Playhouse, Goodman Theatre, LaJolla Playhouse, San Diego Repertory, Arizona Theatre Company, San Jose Repertory and Yale Repertory. Angela Pierce makes her Shakespeare Theatre Company debut as Maria. Pierce is a former member of the Acting Company and has performed with the Mint Theater, Denver Center Theatre and Arizona Theatre Company, among others. David Sabin returns to play Sir Nathaniel, a curate. Sabin last appeared in the Theatre s production of The Persians as one of the counselors. Sabin has appeared in numerous productions at
the Theatre, most recently in The Comedy of Errors, Othello, Lady Windermere s Fan, Lorenzaccio, Cyrano, A Midsummer Night s Dream and The Rivals. On Broadway, Sabin has appeared in Slapstick Tragedy, The Threepenny Opera, Miss Moffat, Gabrielle, Ambassador!, The Water Engine and Othello. He also has appeared off Broadway and in regional productions at such theatres as Studio Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Steppenwolf, Yale Repertory and Seattle Repertory. Erik Steele returns to play Longaville, who falls in love with Maria. Steele has appeared in the Theatre s Free For All and Aspen productions of A Midsummer Night s Dream and in the mainstage production of Pericles. He performed in the Broadway production of Tartuffe and in regional productions with Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Berkeley Repertory, Guthrie Theater, Olney Theatre, Pioneer Theater and Berkshire Theatre Festival, among others. He is a former member of the Acting Company. Hank Stratton returns to play Berowne, who is in love with Rosaline. Stratton last appeared as Captain Jack Absolute in the Shakespeare Theatre Company s production of The Rivals. Other Shakespeare Theatre Company credits include The Merchant of Venice and Hamlet. On Broadway, Stratton appeared in the Roundabout Theatre Company s production of The Man Who Came to Dinner (also broadcast live on PBS) and in the ENCORES! production of Lady in the Dark. He has appeared in national tours of Copenhagen and Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall s revival of Cabaret. His many regional appearances include productions at Williamstown Theatre Festival, Arena Stage, Atlanta s Alliance Theatre and the Huntington Theatre in Boston. Ted van Griethuysen returns to play Holofernes, a schoolmaster. Van Griethuysen last appeared with the Theatre as Darius in The Persians. Other recent Shakespeare Theatre Company credits include performances in Lorenzaccio, Macbeth, Henry IV, Part 1 and Part 2, Ghosts and The Silent Woman. Van Griethuysen s Broadway credits include roles in Romulus, Inadmissible Evidence and Galileo. He also has appeared Off Broadway at the New York Shakespeare Festival, Eastside Playhouse, Opposites Company, Roundabout Theatre Company and La MaMa, and in regional productions at the Folger Theatre, Studio Theatre and Long Wharf Theatre, among others. Geraint Wyn Davies returns to play Don Adriano de Armado, a Spanish knight. Wyn Davies made his Shakespeare Theatre Company debut in the title role of Cyrano, for which he won a Helen Hayes Award for best actor. Wyn Davies began his career at London s Centre Stage Theatre Company before going on to perform for eight seasons with both the Shaw Festival and the Stratford Festival in Canada. In England, he continued his stage career with the British Actors Theatre Company; Wales leading theatre company, Theatre Clwyd; the Chichester Festival; and the Original Shakespeare Company. Other theatre credits include performances at Lincoln Center and with the Atlantic Theatre Festival. The production also features Jolly Abraham as Jacquenetta, Nick Choksi as Moth, Leo Erickson as Monsieur Marcade, Rock Kohli as Dull, Michael Milligan as Costard, James Rana as Forester and ensemble members Jordan Coughtry, Blake Ellis, Kunnal Nayyar, Nicholas Urda and Ryan Young.
THE DESIGNERS For the production, Kahn has assembled a team of expert directors to evoke India in the 1960s. Set Designer Ralph Funicello has used elements of both the real and psychedelic for his set featuring an Indian ashram backed by a rainbow. Funicello makes his Shakespeare Theatre Company debut with this production. His Broadway credits include sets for Brooklyn Boy, Julius Caesar, King Lear, Henry IV and Division Street. He has designed sets for more than 200 plays at most major theatres across North America. Costume Designer Catherine Zuber has used Indian caftans, mini dresses and 60s style boots for the costumes. Zuber has designed costumes for many of the Theatre s productions, including The Tempest, Five by Tenn, Much Ado about Nothing, The Merry Wives of Windsor and Mother Courage and Her Children. She has been nominated for the Tony and Drama Desk awards multiple times and has designed for regional theatres throughout the country. Mark Doubleday, a noted British lighting designer, makes his Shakespeare Theatre Company debut with this production. His lengthy list of London and U.K. credits includes productions for Redgrave Theatre, Gate Theatre, Garrick Theatre, the Old Vic, Tricycle Theatre, Birmingham Repertory, Nottingham Playhouse and numerous opera companies. Composer Adam Wernick returns to create the score for the production. Wernick has served as composer for numerous Shakespeare Theatre Company productions, including Othello (2005), Five by Tenn, The Duchess of Malfi, Camino Real, Twelfth Night and Richard II. The design team also includes Resident Sound Designer Martin Desjardins and Voice and Text Coach Ellen O Brien. THE COMPLETE WORKS FESTIVAL The Shakespeare Theatre Company is one of four American companies invited to participate in the Royal Shakespeare Company s The Complete Works. Kicking off in April 2006, The Complete Works is a yearlong festival featuring the entire Shakespeare canon presented at the RSC s home in Stratfordupon Avon, England. The Festival embraces film, new writing and contemporary music, as well as a comprehensive survey of theatre artists currently interpreting Shakespeare worldwide. The Complete Works celebrates the truly global reach of the greatest writer in the English language, and will be the first time all 37 plays, the sonnets and the long poems have been presented at the same event. The Shakespeare Theatre Company presents its production of Love s Labor s Lost from August 17 to 26, 2006, in the Swan Theatre in Stratford upon Avon. For more information on The Complete Works Festival, visit www.rsccompleteworks.co.uk. PRODUCTION SPONSOR In 1997, the Helen Ruth Henderson Foundation was founded to support charitable organizations that promote the visual and performing arts and educational scholarship. Since then, the Foundation has lent its involvement to esteemed area arts organizations, including the Kennedy Center and the National Gallery of Art. The Shakespeare Theatre Company is proud to have the Foundation s sponsorship to
bring Love s Labor s Lost to the stage both in Washington and at the Royal Shakespeare Company s Complete Works Festival in Stratford upon Avon. When Helen Lee Henderson began as the Executive Director in 2000, she was relatively new to Washington, but not a stranger to the performing arts. Born in Pittsburgh, she is a graduate of Winchester Thurston and received a B.F.A. from Carnegie Mellon University Drama department specializing in Costume Design and an M.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in Technical Theatre. Since then, she has served on numerous boards and had a hand in supporting, both artistically and financially, several arts organizations around the country. The Foundation has recently committed $100,000 to the new Harman Center for the Arts at a critical stage in the Center s development. As the Executive Director of the HRH Foundation, Helen has generously contributed her efforts to maintain the integrity of her mother s mission by being an active advocate for the arts as well as an influential benefactor. MEDIA PARTNER Washington Flyer Magazine makes its Media Partner debut with this production. Media partners play an instrumental role in helping the Shakespeare Theatre Company to facilitate its ever greater need to expand its marketing reach. America s premiere airport magazine, Washington Flyer has been distributed within Dulles International and Reagan National airports since 1989. More than four million passengers travel through these two airports each month and 2,000 of them pick up Flyer every day. Under the leadership of Editor Lauren Kennedy and Publisher Kenny Day, Washington Flyer offers locals and visitors the best in restaurants, cultural events, domestic and international travel and other lifestyle stories. Monthly promotions with partner airlines offer readers free tickets to destinations all around the world. Washington Flyer is proof that the best things in life really are free. More than just a great magazine, Washington Flyer is a true travel portal for people traveling in and out of the world s most important city. It is published bimonthly and is available online at www.washingtonflyer.com.
SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS On Sunday, June 11, at 1 p.m., the Shakespeare Theatre Company continues Windows, a lively discussion and introduction to Love s Labor s Lost with local scholars and members of the artistic staff. All are welcome. Call 202.547.1122 and press 4 or visit ShakespeareTheatre.org to reserve a space. Following the evening performance of Love s Labor s Lost on Wednesday, June 14, all are welcome for a post show discussion with members of the cast. Those attending the evening s performance are guaranteed seats. Limited additional seating is available on a first come basis. Call 202.547.1122 for the approximate start time. No reservations required. On Saturday, July 15, following the 2 p.m. matinee, the Shakespeare Theatre Company sponsors Classics in Context. This lively discussion features scholars and artists discussing their connection to the play. Call 202.547.1122 and press 4 or visit ShakespeareTheatre.org to reserve a space. There will be audio described performances of Love s Labor s Lost on Saturday, July 1, at 2 p.m. and Thursday, July 6, at 8 p.m. Sign interpreted performances are Saturday, July 15, at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, July 18, at 7:30 p.m. WASHINGTON, D.C. CELEBRATES AMERICAN ORIGINALS This production is part of Washington, D.C. Celebrates American Originals. From Memorial Day through Labor Day 2006, museums, theatres, attractions, restaurants and hotels in the Capital Region are celebrating all things uniquely American and uniquely Washington. Headlining the promotion is the July 1 opening of the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery, along with a major exhibition at the National Archives and D.C. s First Capital Fringe Festival. American Originals is produced by The American Experience Foundation in partnership with the Washington, DC Convention and Tourism Corporation and Cultural Tourism DC. For more information, visit AmericanOriginalsDC.com or call 1.800.422.8644 ext. 500.
FACT SHEET: Love s Labor s Lost By William Shakespeare Directed by Michael Kahn The Shakespeare Theatre Company ends its 2005 2006 season with William Shakespeare s Love s Labor s Lost, directed by Michael Kahn. The production runs in Washington, D.C., from June 6 to July 30, 2006, and then travels to the Royal Shakespeare Company s Complete Works Festival in Stratford upon Avon for two weeks of performances in August. For the production, Kahn directs a cast that includes Amir Arison, Colleen Delany, Aubrey Deeker, Floyd King, Claire Lautier, Sabrina LeBeauf, Angela Pierce, David Sabin, Erik Steele, Hank Stratton, Ted van Griethuysen and Geraint Wyn Davies. Rich with rhymed verse, wordplay and witty banter, Love s Labor s Lost begins with the King of Navarre and three other men renouncing the world s pleasures especially women for the world of academia. But when the Princess of France and her three ladies arrive, the men find themselves helplessly falling in love. DATES: June 6 to July 30, 2006 Press Night: Sunday, June 11, 2006 Opening Night: Monday, June 12, 2006 LOCATION: Shakespeare Theatre Company, 450 7th St. NW, between D and E streets, just off Pennsylvania Avenue, between the Capitol and the White House. TIMES: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (except June 13 and July 4); Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 7:30 p.m. (except July 30); matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. (except June 11); matinee at noon on Wednesday, July 26 TICKETS: $14.25 $71.25 with discounts available for senior citizens and students. ACCESSIBILITY: The Lansburgh Theatre is accessible to persons with disabilities, offering wheelchairaccessible seating and restrooms, audio enhancement, and Braille and large print programs. On Sunday, June 11, at 1 p.m., the Shakespeare Theatre Company continues Windows, a lively discussion and introduction to Love s Labor s Lost with local scholars and members of the artistic staff. All are welcome. Call 202.547.1122 and press 4 or visit ShakespeareTheatre.org to reserve a space. Following the evening performance of Love s Labor s Lost on Wednesday, June 14, all are welcome for a post show discussion with members of the cast. Those attending the evening s performance are guaranteed seats. Limited additional seating is available on a first come basis. Call 202.547.1122 for the approximate start time. No reservations required. On Saturday, July 15, following the 2 p.m. matinee, the Shakespeare Theatre Company sponsors Classics in Context. This lively discussion features scholars and artists discussing their connection to the play. Call 202.547.1122 and press 4 or visit ShakespeareTheatre.org to reserve a space. There will be audio described performances of Love s Labor s Lost on Saturday, July 1, at 2 p.m. and Thursday, July 6, at 8 p.m. Sign interpreted performances are Saturday, July 15, at 2 p.m. and Tuesday, July 18, at 7:30 p.m. PARKING: Paid parking is available in the PMI parking garage on D Street, between Eighth and Ninth streets, and the Colonial Parking garage in the Lansburgh building (enter on Eighth Street between D and E streets). METRO: Archives Navy Mem'l Penn Quarter station (Yellow and Green Lines) is one and one half blocks south of the Theatre. Gallery Pl Chinatown station (Red, Yellow and Green Lines) is one block north of the Theatre at the Verizon Center. For further information, call Metro at 202.637.7000. Box Office: 202.547.1122 (voice) TTY: 202.638.3863 Toll Free: 877.487.8849 ShakespeareTheatre.org