Edward the Second begins performances Dec. 11 at Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater, and will continue through Jan. 13, 2008. An official opening night is set for Dec. 15.
Adapted by Garland Wright, Marlowe's rarely produced work stands as the centerpiece of Red Bull's season, which is currently underway with its star-studded Revelation Readings series.
The cast for Edward the Second comprises Marc Vietor as Edward II with Randy Harrison (Wicked, "Queer as Folk"), Joseph Costa (Gore Vidal's The Best Man), Claire Lautier (Hedda Gabler), Arthur Bartow, Rob Breckenridge, Wesley Broulik, William DeMerritt, Michael Gotch, Davis Hall, Lucas Hall, James Knight, Terence MacSweeny, Raum-Aron, Derrick LeMont Sanders, Raphael Nash Thompson and Patrick Vaill.
Red Bull artistic director Jesse Berger will direct with a creative team that features Tony Award winner John Arnone (set design), Clint Ramos (costume design), Peter West (lighting design) and Rick Sordelet (fight direction).
In Marlowe's production, press notes state, "King Edward the Second asserts his right to have the private life he desires, only to have his love, his life and his kingdom destroyed. A timely examination of the struggle for personal human rights amidst a powerful public need for political expediency. It examines the question of whether an individual in public service has the right to a personal life. In a climate of political opportunism, this play confronts the question of individual rights head on, leading to a universal discussion of human rights, amidst a great personal and very public drama of sex, power, and war." Red Bull's Revelation Readings will also give historical theatre junkies the opportunity to see Bertolt Brecht's 20th century revisionist interpretation of Edward the Second, featuring cast members from the Marlowe production on Jan. 7, 2008.
Playwrights Horizons' Peter Jay Sharp Theater is located in Manhattan at 416 West 42nd Street. Tickets are available by visiting www.ticketcentral.com or by calling (212) 279-4200.
For further information visit www.redbulltheater.com.
