D.C.'s Shakespeare Theatre to Present Titus Andronicus

The Shakespeare Theatre Company will continue its 2006-2007 season with its first-ever production of William Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus. Directed by 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. For the production, Edwards directs a cast that includes Sam Tsoutsouvas (Broadway: By Jeeves, Our Country's Good), Lynnda Ferguson (Broadway: Bring Back Birdie, Rumors), Alex Podulke, William Langan (shows at the Public Theater, etc.) and Colleen Delany (Pericles at the Goodman Theater). The production is the Shakespeare Theatre Company's second offering in the citywide Shakespeare In Washington celebration," state press materials

"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."

Edwards is one of Australia's leading theatre directors and has worked to  acclaim around the world. For the Royal Shakespeare Company, she has directed The Taming of the Shrew , The White Devil, Don Carlos and The Duchess of Malfi (the middle two going on to the Brooklyn Academy of Music, New York). For the Shakespeare Theatre Company, she directed Hamlet (2001) and Richard III (2003). Edwards has directed a number of West End musicals: Jesus Christ – Superstar, which she redirected for the U.K. tour and for New York, a production that went on to tour the United States and which she also directed for TV and video, winning an Emmy in 2001; Whistle Down the Wind (Aldwych); and Aspects of Love (Prince of Wales and on tour).  In Australia, Edwards has been Associate Director of two major subsidized theatre companies - The South Australian Theatre Company and the Sydney Theatre Company.   Edwards has won The Sydney Theatre Critic's Circle Award three times, a Helpmann Award twice, a Melbourne Greenroom Award three times and a "Mo" Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theatre twice.

The cast also includes Michael Brusasco as Bassianus, Chris Genebach as Lucius, Christopher Scheeren as Quintus, James Chatham as Young Lucius, Bill Hamlin as Emilius, Julie-Ann Elliott as a Nurse, Ryan Farley as Demetrius, David Townsend as Chiron, Peter Macon as Aaron 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.

The production will feature sets by Peter England, costumes by Murell Horton, lighting by Mark McCullough and music and sound by Martin Desjardins.

Visit www.shakespearetheatre.org for tickets and more information.

Photo by Scott Suchman - Sam Tsoutsouvas as Titus and Colleen Delany as Lavinia