Schreiber, Light, Plunkett, Sunjata and Tunie Set for Brave New World Benefit

By Adam Hetrick
October 20, 2008

Liev Schreiber, Judith Light, Daniel Sunjata and Tamara Tunie will take part in Shakespeare in the Brave New World at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 27.

Presented as a benefit for the proposed New Globe Theater on Governor's Island, the evening follows the story of Shakespeare in America. Beginning with the Bard's earliest performances in the colonies in 1730, the evening will highlight notable productions and interpretations, as well as historical references in America.

Shakespeare in the Brave New World will also include performances from musicals and films, including Swingin' the Dream; The Boys From Syracuse; Kiss Me, Kate; Illyria; The Lion King; "10 Things I Hate About You"; and even Bart Simpson portraying Hamlet.

Schreiber, a Tony winner for Glengarry Glen Ross, hosts the 8 PM evening that will feature performances from David Alan Basche ("The Starter Wife"), Jonathan Cake (Cymbeline), Peter Francis James (The Lady from Dubuque), James Lesure ("Lipstick Jungle"), Judith Light (Wit), Manu Narayan (Bombay Dreams), Will and Anthony Nunziata, Tony Award winner Maryann Plunkett (A Man For All Seasons), Alysia Reiner ("The Starter Wife"), Juliet Rylance (Romeo and Juliet), Jay O. Sanders (Pygmalion), Daniel Sunjata (Take Me Out), Tamara Tunie (Radio Golf ) and James Waterston (As You Like It).

The mission of a New Globe has yet to be authorized or endorsed by the National Parks Service, though ongoing support from the public and elected officials is gaining momentum in the hopes of swaying the NPS's position.

The planned theatre – a contemporary take on Shakespeare's Globe – would seat 1,200 and offer 400 "groundling tickets" for people standing on the ground below the stage. The New Globe also intends to create a resident acting company for the cultural center that would offer views of Manhattan and New York Harbor.

Tickets are available by visiting newglobe.org.

The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts is located at 566 LaGuardia Place at Washington Square South.