Baranski Out of 'Cleopatra;' Hamilton Joins TFANA Line-Up

Theatre for a New Audience announced today that Christine Baranski, who was to play Cleopatra in the theatre's upcoming production of Antony and Cleopatra, has had to withdraw from the production due to conflicts with her winter schedule.

Jeffrey Horowitz, Theatre for a New Audience's Artistic Director, said "Christine would have been unique as Cleopatra.  Darko Tresnjak, the production's director, and I had looked forward to a thrilling collaboration with her.  We hope we can work together on a future project.  Theatre for a New Audience's production of Antony and Cleopatra, March 22 through May 2 at The Duke on 42nd Street, will go forward as planned.  Mr. Tresnjak had staged the play successfully at the Old Globe's Shakespeare Festival.  We are confident we will be able to announce soon a stellar cast." 

Ohio State Murders  (Off-Broadway premiere) by Adrienne Kennedy, directed by Evan Yionoulis, featuring Lisa Gay Hamilton

February 2 - March 9 at The Duke on 42nd Street, 229 West 42nd Street

Oroonoko  (U.S. premiere) adapted by Biyi Bandele, based on a novella by Aphra Behn, directed by Kate Whoriskey, original music by Juwon Ogungbe, featuring Daniel Breaker.

March 22 - May 2 at The Duke on 42nd Street, 229 West 42nd Street

Antony and Cleopatra by William Shakespeare, directed by Darko Tresnjak

Founded by Jeffrey Horowitz in 1979, Theatre for a New Audience uncovers the contemporary heart of the classics.  Shakespeare is its cornerstone and each season Theatre for a New Audience produces Shakespeare alongside classics and great contemporary plays exploring common themes between past and present.  Theatre for a New Audience has an ongoing collaboration with the RSC and in 2001 it became the first American theatre to be invited to bring a production of Shakespeare to the RSC in Stratford-upon-Avon.  After its New York engagement last winter, Theatre for a New Audience's The Merchant of Venice starring F. Murray Abraham was presented by the Royal Shakespeare Company in its Complete Works Festival.  In January 2006, Theatre for a New Audience's production of Eduardo De Filippo's Souls of Naples toured to Naples, Italy, in a new translation by Michael Feingold featuring John Turturro.

Visit www.tfana.org for more information.

Photo of Christine Baranski by Linda Lenzi