TV: Ian McDiarmid in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's TIMON OF ATHENS - Show Highlights!

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Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) is currently presenting, William Shakespeare's rarely produced Timon of Athens, directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and featuring Tony Award winner Ian McDiarmid in the title role. Performed in CST's Courtyard Theater from through June 10, 2012, Gaines' production also features Sean Fortunato as Flavius, James Newcomb as Apemantus and Danforth Comins as Alcibiades. Performances began April 24, 2012.  Production highlights have been released and BroadwayWorld brings you a look below!

A cautionary tale about the seductive power of wealth, Gaines' Timon of Athens is set in the world of high-risk futures trading, where Timon is a god among men. But when the tides of monetary fortune turn and his former friends become ruthless creditors, Timon is left in financial freefall. Leading the cast of Gaines' production in the title role is internationally celebrated actor Ian McDiarmid, who won the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play for his performance as Teddy in Brian Friel's Faith Healer (2006), co-starring Ralph Fiennes and Cherry Jones. McDiarmid's additional credits include productions with the Royal Shakespeare Company and Six Characters in Search of an Author on London's West End (2008), as well as an appointment as the Joint Artistic Director of London's Almeida Theatre from 1990 to 2001, during which Almeida won the 1993 Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre. He is also well known for his film and television appearances, and is perhaps most famous for his chilling performance as the Emperor in George Lucas's 1983 Star Wars Return of the Jedi, and later as Senator Palpatine in the Star Wars prequels.

Joining McDiarmid in the role of Flavius is Chicago Shakespeare Theater veteran actor and four-time Jeff Award nominee Sean Fortunato. Frequent Oregon Shakespeare Festival company members James Newcomb and Danforth Comins perform the roles of Apemantus and Alcibiades, respectively. Comins last appeared at CST as Banquo in Gaines' production of Macbeth, and Newcomb appeared in the Theater's multiple Jeff Award-winning production The Madness of George III last season. Kevin Gudahl, performing the role of Poet/Judge, returns for his 31st role at CST. Additional actors returning for Gaines' production include: Sean Blake as Timander; William Dick as Jeweller/Senator; Terry Hamilton as Ventidius/Old Senator; David Lively as Sempronius; Samuel Taylor as Lucius/Thief; Demetrios Troy as Banker/Varro/Thief; and Bruce A. Young as Lucullus. Timothy Edward Kane, who is currently performing the role of Oberon/Theseus in CST's A Midsummer Night's Dream through April 7, will return to perform the role of Painter. Rounding out the cast for Timon of Athens are John Byrnes as Caphis, ensemble members Wesley Daniel and David Schlumpf, and dancers/ensemble members Jen Donohoo, Noelle Kayser, Luke Manley, Bianca Lozano Sanders, and Malachi Squires.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Timon of Athens runs through June 10, 2012 in CST's Courtyard Theater. For tickets and more information, visit www.chicagoshakes.com.

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