Cumpsty (Copenhagen, 42nd Street), who was Hamlet for CSC last season, will play Shakespeare's feckless Richard II under the direction of CSC artistic director Brian Kulick. It will play Sept. 6-Oct. 15.
Yasmina Reza's A Spanish Play (Jan. 10-Feb. 18, 2006) will be directed (in its English language premiere) by John Turturro and feature Tony Award winner O'Hare (Take Me Out, Sweet Charity), Emond (Homebody/Kabul), four-time Tony Award winner Caldwell (Lillian, Master Class), Larry Pine ("Vanya on 42nd Street") and Katherine Borowitz (Illuminata).
"Reza's play follows in the venerable tradition of Corneille, Shakespeare and Pirandello, playing with the question of truth and illusion as an audience is asked to disentangle real life from the rehearsal of a play," according to CSC.
Aquila Theatre Company and CSC will partner March 14-April 22, 2006, to present Homer's The Iliad: Books I-III, which brings the epic poem about the Trojan War to life. The work is adapted and directed by Aquila artistic director Peter Meineck. Aquila has presented parts of The Iliad in other venues, and around the country.
Staged readings of plays by Chekhov, featuring marquee names, will be presented in the winter's "First Look Festival." On different nights, expect what many consider the Russian master's four most important works (probably the most-studied Chekhov titles in high schools and colleges): The Seagull, Uncle Vanya, Three Sisters and The Cherry Orchard. The third season of the previously sold-out series "Open Rehearsal" will offer Christopher Marlowe's Edward II, directed by Brian Kulick. The play's acts will be explored one act at a time over four consecutive Sunday nights (the series used to play Mondays). The acting company of Richard II will be exploring the Marlowe play.
Columbia University graduate school actors will appear in The Young Company production of A Midsummer Night's Dream Feb. 20-March 4, 2007. The production, presented by Columbia Stages, is billed as being "for the whole family."
Classic Stage's home is at 136 E. 13th Street. For more information about CSC and its programming and membership opportunities, call (212) 677-4210 ext. 11 or visit www.classicstage.org.
