A New Iliad Emerges With Classic Stage's The Age of Iron, Opening Nov. 22 in NYC

By Kenneth Jones
22 Nov 2009

The Age of Iron promotional art with Steven Skybell, Finn Wittrock, Michael Potts, Dion Mucciacito and Elliot Villar
The Age of Iron promotional art with Steven Skybell, Finn Wittrock, Michael Potts, Dion Mucciacito and Elliot Villar
photo by Joan Marcus

Off-Broadway's Classic Stage Company (CSC) melds two Elizabethan texts about the Trojan War to create The Age of Iron, a new three-hour epic that opens Nov. 22 after previews from Nov. 6. CSC artistic director Brian Kulick adapted the plays and directs.

The world premiere combines Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida and Thomas Heywood's The Iron Age.

Performances will play to Dec. 13 at CSC's home in the East Village.

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Ranging from "the rape of Helen to the sack of Troy," The Age of Iron features Craig Baldwin, Tina Benko, Bill Christ, Mark H. Dold, Andrew McGinn, Dylan Moore, Luis Moreno, Dion Mucciacito, Michael Potts, Steven Rattazzi, Steven Skybell, Elliot Villar, Graham Winton and Finn Wittrock.

According to CSC notes, "At the center of The Age of Iron is Shakespeare's majestic Troilus & Cressida, a play that, in the wake of our own turbulent 20th century, has emerged as Shakespeare's most modern masterpiece. This remarkable work is bookended by Thomas Heywood's Iron Age, expanding the play's reach to encompass the full breadth of the Trojan War. Taken together, these two authors create a grand Elizabethan 'Iliad' that brings Homer's long lost world vividly to life."

The creative team includes set designer Mark Wendland, costume designer Oana Botez-Ban, lighting designer Brian Scott and sound designer Christian Frederickson. The associate director is Tony Speciale.

For further information, call (212) 352-3101, visit the theatre in person at 136 East 13th Street, or go to www.classicstage.org.

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CSC is under the leadership of artistic director Brian Kulick and executive director Jessica R. Jenen.

Now in its 42nd year, CSC is the award-winning Off-Broadway theatre committed to re-imagining the classical repertory for a contemporary American audience.

CSC "presents plays from the past that speak directly to the issues of today," according to its mission statement. "As we return to works of the past, we endeavor to keep a clear eye on the future, particularly in terms of the next generation of artists and audiences."