Mason will play the fiery widow to the defeated Trojan king, now slave to the conquering Greek King Agamemnon and forced to witness the sad fates of her children. McGuinness is best known as the author of the plays Someone Who'll Watch Over Me and Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme.

Patrick Mason directed the Broadway production of Brian Friel's Dancing at Lughnasa. He served as the artistic director of the Abbey Theatre from 1993 to 1999. He has directed McGuinness' Baglady, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, The Factory Girls, and Dolly West's Kitchen.

Marsha Mason recently starred Off-Broadway in Wintertime. On Broadway, she appeared in Cactus Flower, The Good Doctor, The Night of the Iguana, and Steel Magnolias.

Tickets are $36 for previews, $42 for performances Tuesday through Thursday, and $56 for performances Friday through Sunday. For further information and to purchase tickets, call the Chicago Shakespeare Theater box office at (312) 595-5600, or visit the theatre's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.