Previews under the direction of PPT artistic and executive director Ted Pappas began May 27. It opens at the O'Reilly Theatre June 4. Performances continue to June 27. "Witness two magnificent actresses as they stake their claim to the throne in a no-holds-barred clash of political titans, taking center stage at the Public," invites Pittsburgh Public. "The battle for power is led by two tour-de-force actresses:  Lisa Harrow as Queen Elizabeth I, and Deirdre Madigan as Mary, Queen of Scots."

Harrow last appeared on the O'Reilly stage in the title role of Medea, and Madigan was last seen as Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing.

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The lavish production features a commissioned original score composed by Michael Moricz and Elizabethan-style costumes by award-winning Broadway designer Paul Tazewell.

"I decided to meet Mount Everest head-on and attempt to stage one of the most challenging works in the international repertoire, a play requiring two great classical leading ladies," Pappas said in production notes. "It's a grand finale to a grand season."

The cast includes  Jill Tanner, Edward James, Adam Ludwig, Ross Bickell, Doug Mertz, Douglas Harmsen, John Shepard, Kenneth Boys, Robert Haley, John Feltch,Corey Rieger,David Crawford,Elena Alexandratos,David W. Dietz III and Ross A. Donaldson.

Designers are James Noone (scenic), Kirk Bookman (lighting) and Zach Moore (lighting).

For tickets and further information, call (412) 316-1600 or visit the Public at the O'Reilly Theater, 621 Penn Avenue, in downtown Pittsburgh. Visit www.ppt.org.