The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington DC will kick off its 2000-2001 season with Timon of Athens, directed by the troupe's artistic director, Michael Kahn.

Shakespeare's tale of greed and friendship, with Philip Goodwin in the title role, plays Aug. 29-Oct. 22.

The season also includes:

• Shakespeare's Richard II directed by Gerald Freedman, with Wallace Acton as Richard, Tana Hicken as Duchess of York, Andrew Long as Bolingbroke, David Sabin as Duke of York, and Ted van Griethuysen as Gaunt. Nov. 7-Dec. 31.

• Friedrich Schiller's Don Carlos, the tragedy of the royal family of Spain, directed by Kahn, with Ted van Griethuysen as King Phillip II, and Ralph Cosham, Edward Gero and Elizabeth Long. It's billed as a DC premiere. Jan. 16-March 11, 2001. • Shakespeare's The Two Gentlemen of Verona, directed by former artistic director of Arena Stage, Douglas C. Wager, with Floyd King as Launce. March 27-May 20, 2001.

• Either Ibsen's Hedda Gabler or Richard Brinsley Sheridan's The Rivals, June 5-July 29, 2001.

For information about The Shakespeare Theatre's season, call (202) 547 1122 or visit the website at www.shakespearedc.org.

-- By Kenneth Jones