Milligan, Skinner, Manis, Creighton Featured in DC Run of Jonson's Alchemist Oct. 6-Nov. 22

By Kenneth Jones
06 Oct 2009

The Shakespeare Theatre Company's season-opening production of Ben Jonson's 1610 comedy, The Alchemist, beginning Oct. 6 in Washington, DC, marks the 150th production in artistic director Michael Kahn's directing career.



The Alchemist will run to Nov. 22, at the Lansburgh Theatre (450 7th Street NW). Opening night is Oct. 13.

David Manis returns to STC in the role of Subtle; Michael Milligan returns to STC as Face; Kate Skinner returns to STC as Dol Common.

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In 1992, Kahn's direction of Tom Hulce as the title character in Hamlet marked his 100th production and was one of the first plays performed at the Lansburgh Theatre. Kahn is now in his 24th season with STC.

According to STC, "The Alchemist follows the antics of three con-artists: Subtle, Face and Dol. When the gentleman Lovewit flees England to avoid the Plague, the trio set up headquarters in his home and set about exposing the social ills of their fellow Londoners."

Kahn stated, "The Alchemist sums up Jonson's favorite theme: people allow themselves to be fooled because of their greed or their desire to be something they are not. I look forward to exploring what many consider Jonson's best comedy by placing his characters in the midst of modern city life. No play could be more timely than this story of get-rich-quick schemes and charming con-artists."

Kahn has set the play in modern dress, "further emphasizing the play's relevance to today's society, as well as the characters' various internal and external transformations," according to STC.

The Alchemist also features Jeff Biehl as Drugger, Nick Cordileone as Dapper, Robert Creighton as Ananias, Kyle Fabel as Surly, Nicole Halmos as Neighbor, Wynn Harmon as Lovewit, Cameron McNary as Neighbor, Alex Morf as Kastril, David Sabin as Sir Epicure Mammon and Timothy Thomas as Tribulation with Felipe Cabezas, Chris Dinolfo, Brit Herring, Rachel Holt and Brian MacDonald.

The creative team for The Alchemist includes set designer James Noone, costume designer Murell Horton, lighting designer Peter West, composer Adam Wernick, sound designer Martin Desjardins, fight choreographer Robb Hunter and voice and text coaching Ellen O'Brien.

For tickets and information, call (202) 547-1122 or visit ShakespeareTheatre.org.