The Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. is continuing its 2006-2007 season with its first-ever production of William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. Directed by acclaimed Australian director Gale Edwards, the production runs from April 3 to May 20, 2007.
"Written at the beginning of Shakespeare's career, Titus Andronicus reinvents the revenge tragedies popular in Shakespeare's day, providing scenes of deep humanity alongside the scenes of revenge," state press notes. The production is the Shakespeare Theatre Company's second offering in the citywide Shakespeare In Washington celebration. "When Roman General Titus returns from his victorious campaign against the Goths, he sacrifices one of the Goth princes in retaliation. He then supports the tyrannical Saturninus over his virtuous brother, Bassianus, as emperor. Together, these two events set in motion the play's cycle of violence and revenge. Enraged by the murder of her son, Tamora, queen of the Goths, vows to "find a day to massacre" those responsible. Her marriage to Saturninus ensures her a position of power, from which she can plot and enact her revenge. By the play's end, no one in Titus' family is untouched by the bloodshed and mayhem."
The cast includes Sam Tsoutsouvas (By Jeeves, Our Country's Good) in the title role, Valerie Leonard (An Ideal Husband, The Odd Couple) as Tamora, with Alex Podulke, William Langan, Colleen Delany, Michael Brusasco, Chris Genebach, Christopher Scheeren, James Chatham, Bill Hamlin, Julie-Ann Elliott, Ryan Farley, David Townsend, Peter Macon and ensemble members C. Travis Atkinson, Bob Barr, Danny Binstock, Andy English, Maria Kelly, Kyle Magley, David Murgittroyd, Robert Rector, Ben Rosenblatt, Matthew Stucky and Nick Vienna.
Visit www.shakespearetheatre.org for tickets and more information.
Photos by Carol Rosegg
Colleen Delany as Lavinia and Sam Tsoutsouvas as Titus
Christopher Scheeren as Quintus, Danny Binstock as Mutius, Chris Genebach as Lucius, David Murgittroyd as Martius and Sam Tsoutsouvas
Peter Macon as Aaron and Valerie Leonard as Tamora
Chris Genebach and Peter Macon with members of the ensemble
David L. Townsend as Chiron, Valerie Leonard and Ryan Farley as Demetrius
