Ridgefield Playhouse to Screen KING LEAR & A A SMALL FAMILY BUSINESS Live in HD, 5/22 & 6/11

Academy Award winner Sam Mendes (James Bond: Skyfall, American Beauty) returns to the National Theatre (NT) to direct Simon Russell Beale (Timon of Athens, Collaborators) in the title role of Shakespeare's tragedy King Lear. This timeless tale is coming Live in HD from London's National Theatre to The Ridgefield Playhouse on Thursday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m. An aged king decides to divide his kingdom among his three daughters, according to which of them is most eloquent in praising him. His favorite, Cordelia, says nothing. Lear's world descends into chaos. On Wednesday, June 11, at 6 p.m., A Small Family Business will be broadcast Live in HD from National Theatre. A riotous exposure of entrepreneurial greed by Olivier Award-winning playwright Alan Ayckbourn (Bedroom Farce, A Chorus of Disapproval), A Small Family Business returns to the National Theatre for the first time since its celebrated premiere in 1987, when it won the Evening Standard Award for Best Play. Close-ups and interesting camera angles, afforded uniquely thru the power of an HD broadcast, exclusive insider information and the convenience of attending theatrical events of this caliber close to home make going to the theater a pleasure. Bernard's (20 West Lane, Ridgefield), is offering a special $45 prix-fixe menu, or a free glass of wine with dinner, before or after the theater when tickets are presented; reservations suggested This series is underwritten by Jeanne Cook, Anita and Nicholas Donofrio, Liz and Steven Goldstone, Marilyn and Joe Kreitz, Joanne and John Patrick, Starbucks Coffee, Sabina and Walter Slavin, Taylor Zemo Foundation, The Ridgefield Press and Whistle Stop Bakery. Media sponsor for King Lear is WSHU Public Radio Group.

The National Theatre doing Shakespeare's King Lear on the Olivier stage comes with a certain guarantee of quality represented by NT's extremely high standards for Shakespeare broadcasts. The strong cast includes NT Live regular Simon Russell Beale and other faces familiar to TV fans, those of Anna Maxwell Martin and Adrian Scarborough.

In A Small Family Business, written by Alan Ayckbourn, Jack McCracken is a man of principle in a corrupt world. But not for long. Moments after taking over his father-in-law's business, he's approached by a private detective armed with some compromising information. Jack's integrity fades away as he discovers his extended family to be thieves and adulterers, looting the business from their suburban homes. Rampant self-interest takes over, and comic hysteria builds to a macabre climax.

For tickets ($25 adults, $20 seniors/members, $15 students, $18 each in Series), call the box office at (203) 438-5795, or order online at ridgefieldplayhouse.org. The Ridgefield Playhouse is a not-for-profit performing arts center located at 80 East Ridge, parallel to Main Street, Ridgefield, CT.