Every Inch a King: Kevin Kline's Lear Opens March 7

By Zachary Pincus-Roth
07 Mar 2007

Kristen Bush and Kevin Kline in King Lear.
Kristen Bush and Kevin Kline in King Lear.
Photo by Michal Daniel

Kevin Kline's take on the title role in William Shakespeare's King Lear officially opens March 7 at the Public Theater.

James Lapine directs the production, which began previews Feb. 9 and was recently extended one week to March 25.

Kline, an Oscar winner and two-time Tony winner, is joined by Brian Avers (Edgar), Larry Bryggman (Gloucester), Kristen Bush (Cordelia), Michael Cerveris (Kent), Philip Goodwin (Fool), Piter Marek (King of France), Laura Odeh (Regan), Daniel Pearce (Cornwall), Michael Rudko (Albany), Logan Marshall-Green (Edmund), Ryan McCarthy (Ensemble), Angela Pierce (Goneril), Tim Stickney (Oswald) and Joaquin Torres (Duke of Burgundy).

Stephen Sondheim and Michael Starobin provide music for the production. The creative team also includes Heidi Ettinger (scenic design), Jess Goldstein (costume design), David Lander (lighting design) and Dan Moses Schreier and Philip Peglow (sound design).

Kevin Kline's credits at the Public include Richard III, Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, The Pirates of Penzance (Tony Award for the Broadway transfer), Hamlet (twice), The Seagull and Mother Courage and Her Children this past summer opposite Meryl Streep.

Kline's many Broadway credits include Ivanov, Loose Ends, Arms and the Man, On the Twentieth Century (Tony Award) and, most recently, Falstaff in Henry IV at Lincoln Center Theater. His film credits include "Sophie's Choice," "The Big Chill," "A Fish Called Wanda" (Oscar), "Dave," "In & Out," "The Ice Storm" and many others.

Tickets are available by calling (212) 967-7555 or by visiting www.publictheater.org. The Public Theater in Manhattan at 425 Lafayette Street.