Washington DC's Shakespeare Theatre opens its 1997-98 season with The Tempest, directed by former Guthrie Theater artistic director Garland Wright in his Shakespeare Theatre debut Sept. 2-Oct. 26.

Wright served at Guthrie from 1986-95 and became the longest tenured artistic director in that theatre's history. His work has been seen in regional, Broadway and Off-Broadway theatres as well as on television. The recipient of numerous Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards, he received Obie Awards for his New York production of K: Impressions of Kafka's THE TRIAL and On the Verge.

Ted van Griethuysen, whose Broadway credits include Romulus, Inadmissible Evidence and Galileo, stars as Prospero. He has appeared Off-Broadway with the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Roundabout Theatre Company. Wallace Acton co-stars as Ariel. Acton recently appeared in Sunday in the Park With George at the Arena Stage and received the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his performance in Henry VI.

Also in the cast are ST company members Floyd King, David Sabin, Emery Battis, Ralph Cosham, Jack Ryland and Franchelle Stewart Dorn. Newcomers in to the company are Chad Coleman, William Hulings, Nick Sullivan, Beverly Cosham and Felicia Wilson.

Tony Award-winner and longtime Wright collaborator John Arnone provides set design. His Broadway credits include The Who's Tommy, Sacrilege and Grease!. He and Tempest costume designer Susan Hilferty, another longtime Wright collaborator, designed the Broadway productions of How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Sex and Longing. Hilferty has also collaborated with playwright/director Athol Fugard as a designer and associate director on 14 of his premieres. Director and actress Kaia Calhoun, recipient of the first Sir John Gielgud fellowship from the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, has been assigned to work on The Tempest to develop her directorial skills particular to classical plays. She recently directed Seeking the Genesis at the Manhattan Theatre Club.

For more information on ST's 1997-98 season, please see Shakespeare Theatre Season To Feature Ashley & Stewart

Accessible to persons with disabilities, the theatre provides audio enhancement at every performance as well as braille and large print programs. A sign-interpreted performance will be held Oct. 7 at 7:30PM and audio described performances Sept. 27 at 2PM and Oct. 2 at 8PM.

The Shakespeare Theatre is located at 450 7th St., NW. For subscription information, call (202) 547-1122. To purchase single tickets, call (202) 393-2700 or (202) 638-3863 (TTY).

--By Laura MacDonald