Shakespeare Theatre to Present 'Hero/Traitor Repertory' with CORIOLANUS and WALLENSTEIN, 3/28-6/2

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, probes the burdens of leadership and the price of power in its Hero/Traitor Repertory of Coriolanus and Wallenstein. In the hands of The Studio Theatre's Artistic Director David Muse and STC's Artistic Director Michael Kahn, this pairing of Shakespearean and German epics challenges the concept of control among military and government institutions. Coriolanus and Wallenstein play at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from March 28-June 2, 2013.

Both plays revolve around military leaders who have gained fame through deadly prowess. In William Shakespeare's Coriolanus, the title character must re-examine his loyalties when the country he championed turns against him; in Friedrich Schiller's Wallenstein, translated and adapted for its American premiere by former Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, the main character must choose between the ideal for which he fights and his government's agenda. Each play depicts the warrior's struggle when the lines of battle cross between friends, family and former comrades.

Actors Patrick Page and Steve Pickering have been entrusted with the leading roles of Coriolanus and Wallenstein, respectively. "I am pleased to welcome both Patrick Page and Steve Pickering back to the Shakespeare Theatre Company," said Kahn. "Patrick has had terrific turns as Macbeth and Iago for STC and has just finished a great run as the Green Goblin in Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark on Broadway. And Steve was wonderful as Kent in our production of King Lear with Stacy Keach. I look forward to working with both actors again on the Hero/Traitor Repertory."

Kahn and Muse have previously worked on the Roman and Leadership repertories at STC. "This is the third time that I have collaborated with David On a repertory season, and I've found that we work together very well in sharing designers and casts," Kahn said. "It's extremely collegial and exciting. We've known each other for long time, and I've always known that if we did Coriolanus again then David would do it."

Coriolanus is performed in repertory with Wallenstein as part of the Clarice Smith Repertory Series.The Clarice Smith Repertory Series is sponsored by the Robert H. Smith Family Foundation. Wallenstein was commissioned through the generous support of The Beech Street Foundation and production support for Wallenstein is provided by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts. The Clarice Smith Repertory Series also includes a thematic educational programming series each year during the run of the repertory to further educate and engage the audience. The first year of programming will include a symposium and other related discussions on leadership, the trauma of war, women and the military and the poetics of battle.

To purchase tickets or to learn more, patrons can call the box office at 202.547.1122 or visit ShakespeareTheatre.org.

THE HERO/TRAITOR REPERTORY CAST

Affiliated Artist Patrick Page returns to STC to play Coriolanus. Page was previously seen on the STC stage as Claudius in Hamlet (Free For All), Iago in Othello and Macbeth in Macbeth. A veteran Broadway actor, Page most recently appeared as the Green Goblin in Spider Man: Turn Off the Dark. His other Broadway credits include Cyrano de Bergerac, A Man For All Seasons, Grinch - The Musical, The Lion King, Julius Caesar, Beauty and the Beast, The Kentucky Cycle and A Christmas Carol. Off-Broadway, he has performed in Rex, The Duchess of Malfi and the title role in Richard II. Regional productions include roles as Antony, Cyrano, Hamlet, Henry V, Iago, Macbeth, Malvolio, Richard II and Richard III at such theatres as ACT, Arizona Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse, Indiana Repertory, Long Wharf Theatre, Missouri Repertory, Old Globe Theatre, Pioneer Theater, Seattle Repertory and the Alabama, New York, Oregon and Utah Shakespeare festivals. Page can be seen in the Miramax film The Substance of Fire and on the television shows Law & Order: SVU, One Life to Live and All My Children.

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