Williams, Perez Join Cast of Shakespeare on the Sound's OTHELLO; Opens6/15

Shakespeare on the Sound, Connecticut's premier outdoor summer theater company presenting free Shakespeare in the park, has found its ‘Othello' and ‘Iago.' It was announced today that Victor Williams will play the title role and Jesse J. Perez will play ‘Iago' in Othello, under the direction of Joanna Settle this summer.

Perez returns to Shakespeare on the Sound following his acclaimed ‘Puck' in last year's production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Williams will be making his Shakespeare on the Sound debut. He was a series regular for nine years on "The King of Queens," among many other theater, television and film credits. Complete casting will be announced shortly. Currently in its 15th Season, Shakespeare on the Sound will present Settle's all-new production at two beautiful locations on the Long Island Sound. The show will play Pinkney Park, Rowayton June 15 - 26, 2010 and Baldwin Park, Greenwich July 2 - 11, 2010.

"Shakespeare's Othello is ultimately driven by the souls and talent of the two men playing these roles," commented Artistic Director Joanna Settle. "We are so blessed to have Victor and Jesse appearing on our stages this summer. From the first moments of rehearsal with these guys it was very clear that we can look forward to an explosive, thrilling summer night!"

As previously announced, Tony Award-winning singer-songwriter Stew will provide original music and songs for the production and set designer Andrew Lieberman will return for this season's production.

Shakespeare on the Sound has established itself as one of the most popular summer theater companies on the east coast, drawing large audiences to each performance in the unique under-the-stars settings of its waterfront venues.

Audiences should arrive early and picnic in the park before the performance. There is no admission fee, but a donation of $20 ($10 for students and seniors) is suggested. In Rowayton, parking is limited and early arrival is suggested. In Greenwich, the production is a five minute walk from the Greenwich Metro-North stop. Ample parking is available.

Victor Williams (Othello) returns to the East Coast after twelve years in Los Angeles. He received his MFA from New York University's Graduate Acting Program. He has appeared in a wide range of television shows, including the award winning "ER," "The Practice," "Fringe" and "Girlfriends." Williams is most known for his nine seasons as a regular on the television series "The King of Queens." Williams launched his theater career in Troilus and Cressida directed by MarK Wing-Davey at the New York Shakespeare Festival. He has also worked regionally at the Dallas Theater Center in Kenneth Leon's production of Ohio Tip-Off. Most recently, Mr. Williams was seen in the Public Lab's production of Philip Roth in Karthoum and was a participant in the 2009 Shakespeare Lab headed by Barry Edelstein at The Public Theater.

Jesse J. Perez (Iago) Off Broadway: Triple Happiness (Second Stage Theatre), Barrio Girl (Summer Play Festival), Recent Tragic Events (Playwrights Horizons), In the Penal Colony (Classic Stage Company), Up Against the Wind (New York Theatre Workshop). Regional: A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare on the Sound), A Servant of Two Masters, Lulu, Cherry Orchard, and Taming of the Shrew (Yale Repertory Theatre), Hard Weather Boating Party (Humana Play Festival), Arabian Nights (Berkeley Repertory Theatre), Argonautika (Lookingglass Theatre Company), Celebrity Row (Portland Center Stage), Pericles (Goodman Theatre), Hamlet (McCarter Theatre Center). Lucia di Lammermoor (The Metropolitan Opera). Film and Television: American Splendor, All Night Bodega, Playing God, Kazaam, "Life on Mars," "Law & Order," "Law & Order SVU," "The Job," "Third Watch." Jesse is a graduate of The Juilliard School.

Shakespeare on the Sound produces an annual free outdoor Shakespeare festival in Connecticut, with performances in public parks in Rowayton and Greenwich. By offering our annual theater festival for free and delivering year-round education programs in the schools and local libraries, we open up Shakespeare's great theater classics for a broad audience, reaching a diverse cross-section of people of all ages and economic backgrounds, and creating a forum for learning, appreciation and celebration.

For more information, visit www.shakespeareonthesound.org.

 

To post a comment, you must register and login.