'Cymbeline' Begins Previews at Lincoln Center Nov.1

William Shakespeare's Cymbeline, directed by Mark Lamos and featuring Jonathan Cake, Michael Cerveris, John Cullum, John Pankow, Martha Plimpton and Phylicia Rashad, began previews Thursday, November 1 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater.  Opening night for this Lincoln Center Theater production is Sunday, December 2 at 6:30PM.

"One of William Shakespeare's most unusual and spectacular plays, this late Romance combines comedy, tragedy and history into an epic tale of power and magic - its action sweeping across Britain and Italy, as two warring powers clash until its eventual joyful conclusion," explain press notes.

The characters in Cymbeline include the title-character Lear-like monarch (John Cullum), a wicked queen (Phylicia Rashad), an Iago-like villain (Jonathan Cake), a deceived husband (Michael Cerveris), his loyal servant (John Pankow) and a heroine, the king's daughter Imogen, Shakespeare's last great female role (Martha Plimpton).

Completing the cast of 26 are Jeff Bender, Daniel Breaker, Anthony Cochrane, Noshir Dalal, Adam Dannheisser, Jordan Dean, Herb Foster, David Furr, Adam Greer, Michael Howell, Ezra Knight, LeRoy McClain, Paul O'Brien, Daniel Oreskes, Gordana Rashovich, Nancy Rodriguez, Michael Rossmy, Richard Topol, Gregory Wooddell and Jeff Woodman.

Cymbeline is designed by Tony Award winners Michael Yeargan (sets), Jess Goldstein (costumes), and Brian MacDevitt (lighting).   Original music is by Mel Marvin and sound designers are Tony Smolenski IV and Walter Trarbach.

The performance schedule is Tuesday through Saturday evenings at 8PM with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2PM and Sunday at 3PM.  (There is no Saturday matinee on November 2)  Tickets priced at $65 to $90 are available at the Lincoln Center Theater box office, by calling Tele-Charge at (212) 239-6200 or on-line by visiting www.lct.org.

Martha Plimpton stars in Cymbeline as Imogen (photo by Corey Hayes)