Mark Rylance-Led TWELFTH NIGHT and RICHARD III Recoup $3.1 Million Investment

The all-male Shakespeare's Globe repertory productions of William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and RICHARD III have recouped their $3.1 million capitalization costs this week, officially entering the hit column. The productions, which opened on Broadway on November 10, 2013 to ecstatic and universal critical praise, have been playing to capacity crowds at Broadway's Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street), where they have broken the house record several times.

The quick recoupment of Twelfth Night and Richard III on Broadway is particularly noteworthy with the productions' ticket access policy, where 250 seats at every performance have been sold for $25. The 250 seats per performance make up almost a quarter of the Belasco's capacity of 1,051, and include seating in all levels of the theatre: orchestra, mezzanine, balcony, boxes and on stage. Approximately 36,000 $25 tickets will have been sold throughout the 18-week limited engagement.

"Theatre should be available to all audiences." the producers commented. "We're especially heartened that we have been able to sell almost a quarter of every house for $25, providing a way for all theatergoers to see and enjoy these productions, while still managing to recoup our production costs and turn a profit."

Twelfth Night and Richard III, which are directed by Tim Carroll and designed by Jenny Tiramani, with music by Claire van Kampen, play a limited engagement through February 16, 2014. For a schedule of performances and more information, please visit www.shakespearebroadway.com.

Mark Rylance (Jerusalem, Boeing-Boeing) stars as the suddenly love struck noblewoman Olivia in Twelfth Night and as the ruthless and conniving title monarch in Richard III. Stephen Fry makes his Broadway acting debut as Malvolio in Twelfth Night. Samuel Barnett (The History Boys) appears as Viola in Twelfth Night and Queen Elizabeth in Richard III.

The productions also feature Liam Brennan (Orsino in Twelfth Night; Clarence/Lord Mayor in Richard III); Paul Chahidi (a 2013 Olivier Award nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Maria in Twelfth Night; Hastings/ Tyrrell in Richard III); John Paul Connolly (Antonio in Twelfth Night; 1st Murderer/ Cardinal/Ratcliff/Halberdier in Richard III); Peter Hamilton Dyer (Feste in Twelfth Night; Brakenbury/Catesby in Richard III); Kurt Egyiawan (Valentine in Twelfth Night; Richmond/Duchess of York in Richard III); Matt Harrington (Curio/Officer/Olivia's Servant in Twelfth Night; Dorset/Bishop of Ely/Guard in Richard III); Colin Hurley (Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night; King Edward IV/Stanley in Richard III); Terry McGinity(Sea Captain/Priest in Twelfth Night; Scrivener/Rivers/Blunt in Richard III); Matthew Schechter (Prince Edward in Richard III); Hayden Signoretti(Duke of York in Richard III); Jethro Skinner (Fabian in Twelfth Night; 2nd Murderer/Messenger/Halberdier in Richard III); Joseph Timms (Sebastian inTwelfth Night; Lady Anne/Grey in Richard III) and Angus Wright (Sir Andrew Aguecheek in Twelfth Night; Duke of Buckingham in Richard III). Understudies are Dominic Brewer, Dylan Clark Marshall and Tony Ward.

Twelfth Night and Richard III have been produced on Broadway by Sonia Friedman Productions, Scott Landis, Roger Berlind, Glass Half Full Productions/Just For Laughs Theatricals, 1001 Nights Productions, Tulchin Bartner Productions, Jane Bergère, Paula Marie Black, Rupert Gavin, Stephanie P. McClelland, Shakespeare's Globe Centre USA, Max Cooper, Tanya Link Productions and Shakespeare Road.

Tickets are on sale through www.telecharge.com.