Daniel Davis Is Lear at Shakespeare Theatre of NJ, Starting July 2

By Kenneth Jones
02 Jul 2008

Daniel Davis
Daniel Davis

Tony Award nominee Daniel Davis stars in a new production of King Lear, Shakespeare's epic tragedy of loyalty, blindness, decline and forgiveness, beginning July 2 in Madison, NJ.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company of New Jersey presents Davis — a veteran of TV's "The Nanny," on which he played butler Niles — as aging Lear, who splits his kingdom between his corrupt daughters, leading to his doom. Artistic director Bonnie J. Monte directs at the troupe's main stage, the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue, on the campus of Drew University in Madison.

Davis' Broadway credits include The Frogs, The Invention of Love and La Cage aux Folles, as well as Wrong Mountain, for which he was Tony-nominated.

King Lear performances continue to July 27. Opening is July 5.

The cast includes Erin Partin as Cordelia, Kristie Dale Sanders as Goneril, Victoria Mack as Regan, Edmond Genest as Gloucester, Marcus Dean Fuller as Edmund, Kevin Isola as Edgar, Ames Adamson as the Earl of Kent and Seamus Mulcahy as Lear's Fool with Nathan Kaufman Matt Bradford Sullivan, Scott Whitehurst, Fisher Neal, Derrick LeMont Sanders, Dan Lendzian, John Mulcahy, Nick Nappo, Craig Bazan and Tyler Eglen.

Creating the world of King Lear are set designer Marion Williams, costume designer Clint Ramos, lighting designer Steve Rosen and sound designer Karin Graybash. Broadway veteran Rick Sordelet serves as fight director. Alison Cote is the production stage manager.

Performances are Tuesdays-Sundays. Tickets range from $29 to $53 depending on performance day and time and seat location.

For tickets or more information call (973) 408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.