Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey to Present CORIOLANUS

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey continues its 54th season with William Shakespeare's intense political drama, Coriolanus. Performances begin July 6 and continue through July 24 at the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, 36 Madison Avenue (at Lancaster Road) in Madison. Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased by calling the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or go online at shakespearenj.org.

When Rome is faced with threats from without and famine within, it turns to its defender, Coriolanus. The decorated war-hero quickly discovers that his true enemies lie inside Rome's walls, and perhaps within himself. Director Brian B. Crowe brings this rarely-seen tragedy to life with company veterans Greg Derelian and Jacqueline Antarmian in the leading roles.

Written some time between 1605 and 1608, Coriolanus was not performed until after the Restoration. Inspired by the era's political tensions, The Drury Lane company first performed the drama in 1682. For as much as Coriolanus is a political drama, that is the play's epic outer shell; within that framework resides an intimate psychological portrait of a complex and tortured man who is grappling with the conflict between his true nature and the public persona that his family and peers have thrust upon him.

The Cast:

Greg Derelian returns for his tenth season with The Shakespeare Theatre in the role of Caius Martius Coriolanus. He was last with the company in 2008 as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire opposite Laila Robins. In addition to many other STNJ shows, Mr. Derelian appeared on Broadway in Metamorphoses. He now resides in Los Angeles where his film and television credits include Other People, The Umpire, Parks and Recreation and Chuck.

Jacqueline Antarmian, who will be returning for her fifth season with The Shakespeare Theatre, will play the role of Volumnia. Company credits include The Diary of Anne Frank, Pericles, Othello and Hamlet. Ms. Antarmian has appeared on Broadway in Doctor Zhivago, Soul Doctor, Master Class, Mary Stuart, Coram Boy and Julius Caesar. She is the recipient of a Barrymore Award for her performance in the one-woman play Nine Parts of Desire.

Bruce Cromer returns for his seventh season in the role of Menenius Agrippa. Company credits include The Alchemist, As You Like It, and Timon of Athens. Mr. Cromer is a Resident Actor with the Human Race Theatre and a professor and Head of Acting for Wright State University's Professional Actor Training Program. Select regional credits are Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, and Milwaukee Repertory Theatre.

Returning for his seventh season, John Ahlin will play the role of Junius Brutus. Past company credits include The Alchemist, Henry IV Part One, A Christmas Carol, and All's Well That Ends Well. Broadway credits include Waiting for Godot, Journey's End (2007 Tony Award for Best Revival), and Macbeth. Mr. Ahlin has also appeared on television and in film in such shows as Law & Order: SVU and Inside Llewyn Davis.

Previously performing in Pericles at The Shakespeare Theatre, Corey Tazmania returns for her eighth season in the role of Sicinius Velutus. She has also acted in Oliver Twist, Macbeth, and The Tempest on the Main Stage. Ms. Tazmania has performed regionally with New Jersey Repertory Company, REDCAT, and Lake Theatre.

Last seen at the Theatre in Love's Labour's Lost, Clark Scott Carmichael returns for his 14th season in the role of Titus Lartius. Past company credits include Henry VIII, The Learned Ladies, Pericles, The Liar, and A Christmas Carol. Throughout his career, Mr. Carmichael has worked with various organizations, including The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Westchester Broadway Theatre, Irish Rep, and the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C.

Raphael Nash Thompson, who will be returning for his ninth season with The Shakespeare Theatre Company will play the role of Cominus. Last seen in Merry Wives of Windsor, Mr. Thompson has also performed at The Theatre in The Alchemist, Measure for Measure, The Comedy of Errors, Henry V, Othello, Macbeth and As You Like It.

In his Shakespeare Theatre debut, Michael Schantz will play Tullus Aufidius. Mr. Schantz's New York credits include You Got Older, Fashions for Men, and Beyond Therapy. He also performed regionally with Bard Summerscape, The Guthrie, The Alley, and Virginia State Company.

Returning for his fifth season, Bill Christ will play the role of First Senator. Mr. Christ most recently appeared at STNJ in Othello, and has also acted in Arms and the Man, The Tempest, and Romeo & Juliet. Broadway credits include Born Yesterday, The Miracle Worker, Inherit the Wind and Search and Destroy.

For his sixth season with The Shakespeare Theatre, Jordan Laroya will play Lieutenant/Citizen 3. Mr. Laroya was last seen in Pericles, and he has also acted in The Man of La Mancha, Henry IV (Part One), and Othello on the Main Stage and As You Like It on the Outdoor Stage. As a touring company member of Shakespeare LIVE!, Mr. Laroya has appeared in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Julius Caesar, and Romeo & Juliet.

Rounding out the cast are Amaia Arana, Miaojuan Chen, Elizabeth Colwell, AJ De Augustine, Matthew Domenico, Aiden Eastwood, Javon Johnson, Evan Joslyn, Mike Magliocca, Georgia Snow Nicholas, Jessica Orelus, Andres F. Roa, Kevin Santana, Aurea Tomeski, and Sydney Watt.

The Director:

Brian B. Crowe is in his twenty-first season with the Theatre, most recently directing Love's Labour's Lost last year. Mr. Crowe serves as the Director of Education at the Shakespeare Theatre, and his past directing credits include The Learned Ladies, Pericles, Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist, Timon of Athens, The School for Wives, and The Winter's Tale. He also directs in-school residencies, teaches in the Summer Professional Training Program, and works with the Junior and Senior Shakespeare Corps for the Theatre.

The Artistic Staff:

The show's visual elements will be brought to life through the work of fight director Doug West, set designer Richard Block, lighting designer Andrew Hungerford, costume designer Tristan Raines, and Sound Designer Karin Graybash. Serving as production stage manager is Denise Cardarelli.

Tickets:

Single tickets for Coriolanus start as low as $25 for preview performances and $32 for regular performances. Prices range from $25 - $75. This season, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is initiating their 30 Under 30 Program, which offers tickets for $30 for patrons aged 30 and under, with valid ID, tickets subject to availability. For tickets, call the Box Office at 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Special Performances:

For the same price as a regular ticket, the Symposium Series performances offer a post-show discussion with the cast and artistic staff. For Coriolanus these performances will be Tuesday, July 12 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 16 at 2:00 p.m., and Saturday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m.

The Know the Show pre-show talks are offered again in 2016 free-of-cost. Prior to the show, an artist from The Shakespeare Theatre will present a pre-performance talk providing background information and an inside perspective on the production. This program is free with the purchase of a performance ticket and for Coriolanus will be held Thursday, July 18 at 7:00 p.m., with the show commencing at 8:00 p.m.

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