By Adam Hetrick
09 Nov 2009

Marlowe vs. Shakespeare: Rivalry, Imitation, and Influence, an intimate look at the two Elizabethan playwrights, will be held at the Kaye Playhouse Nov. 9.

As part of the 7 PM event, actors Christopher Evan Welch (The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Othello), John Douglas Thompson (Emperor Jones) and Matthew Rauch (Prelude to a Kiss) perform the work of the literary rivals. Columbia University professor James Shapiro also join the actors for a discussion.

According to press notes, Marlow vs. Shakespeare offers "a thrilling look at two giants of the Elizabethan stage. Born in the same year as Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe died at the age of 29, having revolutionized English dramatic poetry with a series of dark, exuberant, and wildly theatrical plays. The rivalry between these two great poets and Marlowe's influence on Shakespeare's work will be the subjects of this evening, which will feature readings from the works of both playwrights and commentary by one of the world's greatest Shakespeare scholars."

The Red Bull Theater staged an extended run of Marlowe's Edward the Second Off-Broadway during the 2007-2008 season with Mark Vietor, Matthew Rausch and Randy Harrison.

Tickets for the evening, priced $25, are available by phoning (212) 772-4448. The Kaye Playhouse is located at East 68th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues. For further information on visit ShakespeareSociety.