The Williamstown Theatre Festival's star-studded production of The Rivals closes Aug. 16. Dana Ivey plays the famous role of Mrs. Malaprop in Roger Rees' staging of Sheridan's classic comedy. Also in the impressive cast is Edward Herrmann as Sir Anthony Absolute, Tom Bloom as Lucius O'Trigger, and Kate Burton as Julia Melville. Other roles are filled by John Ellison Conlee, Denis Holmes, Rich Holmes, Deirdre Lovejoy, Mark McKinney, Sandra Shipley, and Jake Weber.
Next on the roster, Olympia Dukakis will play the title role in the Williamstown production of Hecuba, directed by American Conservatory Theatre Artistic Director Carey Perloff. The production fills the main stage Aug. 19-30.
Michele Shay will lead the chorus in this rendition of Euripedes' classic. Also featured in the cast are Marco Barricelli as Odysseus, L. Peter Callender as Agamemnon, Apollo Dukakis as Talthebios, Steven Anthony Jones as Polymestor, and, as the chorus, KITKA, an ensemble of women who blend specialized vocal techniques from Eastern Europe with contemporary styles.
Olympia Dukakis is a veteran of Williamstown, having appeared in 13 festival seasons. Previous WTF credits include The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore, Othello, The Cherry Orchard and Orpheus Descending.
Shay received a Tony nomination for her work in August Wilson's Seven Guitars. Other credits include The Waiting Room, For Colored Girls..., and, at WTF, A Midsummer Night's Dream. Meanwhile, at WTF's Nikos Stage, Corners, a new play by David Rabe (Hurlyburly, Sticks and Bones) opened Aug. 12 for a run through Aug. 23. Victor Argo, Robert Pastorelli, Christopher Meloni, and Joe Pacheco star. Scott Ellis directs.
In Corners, two friends wander through a dark world of cellular phones, mafioso and street corners. Other Rabe dramas include Streamers and A Question of Mercy.
Pastorelli is best known for his regular role as Candice Bergen's handyman on the sitcom "Murphy Brown." He recently starred in the television series "Cracker." Film credits include Dances with Wolves, Eraser and Michael.
Argo has appeared Off-Broadway in Breaking Legs and in such films as The Funeral, The Bad Lieutenant, The King of New York and Mean Streets.
Williamstown Festival tickets are sold at the box office or by calling (413) 597-3400. WTF's 24-hour information line is (413) 597-3399.
-- By Robert Viagas
and Robert Simonson
