The Shakespeare Theatre of Washington, D.C., has finally brought King John to the nation's capital, some 400 years after the play first premiered. The production, directed by artistic director Michael Kahn, has been Washington's first-ever look at Shakespeare's lesser known historical drama.
As such, it's been a hot ticket, and seats are all sold out for the remainder of the run, ending Mar. 6. Previews began Jan. 19 for a press opening Jan. 24 and an official opening night Jan. 25 .
The text is not purely Shakespeare's, however. Kahn, seemingly hoping to improve on the Bard, has refashioned the play, incorporating material from an anonymous work called The Troublesome Reign of John, King of England.
Philip Goodwin plays the king, who, in the play, is threatened with excommunication by the Church, an invasion by French troops, and attempts upon his throne by his sister's son, Arthur. Supporting Goodwin are Tana Hicken as John's mother Eleanor, and Jennifer Harmon, as John's sister-in-law Constance.
Kahn has previously directed Richard III , Henry IV , Henry V and Henry VI at the Shakespeare Theatre. *
Following King John, director JoAnne Akalaitis arrives, Mar. 23-May 8, 1999, to stage Euripides' Trojan Women. It's a look at war's effect on women on the losing side. Surprisingly, this is the first time a Greek play has been staged at the Shakespeare. Akalaitis is currently staging The Iphigenia Cycle Off-Broadway.
Then Hal Holbrook appears as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice. Artistic director Michael Kahn will stage Shakespeare's controversial comedy (which is generally played as drama because of its arguably anti Semitic content). Holbrook has already played the vengeful Jewish merchant, Shylock, at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre. Last on Broadway in An American Daughter, Holbrook is best known for his solo, Mark Twain Tonight!, for which he won a Tony. He's played King Lear at Off Broadway's Roundabout Theatre and on Broadway in The Glass Menagerie, Man of La Mancha and I Never Sang For My Father.
For subscriptions ($125-$280) and other information on the Shakespeare Theatre season call (202) 547-1122.
-- By Robert Simonson
