Dion Johnstone Stars as CORIOLANUS, Starting Tonight at Red Bull Theater

Red Bull Theater presents William Shakespeare's Coriolanus, the first production of the 2016-'17 season.

Michael Sexton, artistic director of The Shakespeare Society, directs a cast led by acclaimed Canadian actor Dion Johnstone making his NYC debut in the title role, and featuring RSC veteran Lisa Harrow (Wit, The Omen), Broadway luminaries Patrick Page (Cymbeline, Spring Awakening) and Stephen Spinella (Love! Valour! Compassion!, Angels in America, Volpone), alongside Matthew Amendt ('Tis Pity She's a Whore), Zachary Fine (Fiasco's Two Gents), Rebecca S'Manga Frank, Merritt Janson (Tamburlaine), Aaron Krohn (Cabaret), Edward O'Blenis, Christina Pumariega (Volpone), and Olivia Reis, an alumna of Red Bull's training program, making her professional debut.

Dion Johnstone's theater credits include acclaimed performances in Othello, The Tempest, Titus Andronicus, Macbeth, Agamemnon, Electra, and King Lear at Stratford Festival; A Midsummer Night's Dream (Shakespeare Theatre Centre); Pericles, Julius Caesar (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Father Comes Home From The Wars Parts I, II & III, Raisin in the Sun (Soulpepper Theatre); Lord of the Rings (Mirvish Productions); Film and TV credits include "Ties That Bind" (series lead), The Listener, Flashpoint, "Sea Wolf" (miniseries), "Ice Twisters" (TV movie), "Stargate SG-1."

William Shakespeare's Coriolanus will begin a limited engagement tonight, October 18th, at the Barrow Street Theatre (27 Barrow Street at 7th Avenue). Opening Night is set for Sunday October 30th. Performances continue through November 20th only. Member tickets as well as single tickets for Coriolanus are now on sale.

The streets are full of protest. Economic inequality strains the social fabric. Debates rage throughout a nation riddled with dissension and distrust. It's election year in Rome, 493 B.C.E. As unscrupulous politicians manipulate public opinion, the hypocrisy and humiliation of political campaigns drive away the country's finest. But beneath this political drama looms the personal tragedy of one man's emotional blindness. This visceral new production will spark an electric dramatic dialogue between actors and audiences.

The design team includes Brett J. Banakis (scenic and lighting), Ásta Bennie Hostetter (costumes) and Brandon Wolcott (sound).

The Government Inspector, directed by Jesse Berger will open this Spring at a theater to be announced. All politics are local. Gogol's deeply silly satire of small-town corruption offers a riotous portrait of rampaging self-delusion. When the crooked leadership of a provincial village discovers that an undercover inspector is coming to root out their commonplace corruption, the town weaves a web of bribery, lies, and utter madness. This New York Premiere of acclaimed playwright Jeffrey Hatcher's (Stage Beauty) adaptation offers a hilarious reminder of the timelessness of bureaucracy and buffoonery. Cast and design team, as well as performance schedule, will be announced shortly. Member tickets are available now. Single tickets will go on sale in March.

Red Bull Theater's OBIE Award-winning Revelation Readings present staged readings of new and rarely performed classic plays from all eras and cultures. With the Jacobean plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries as the cornerstone of our mission, Red Bull Theater is dedicated to the rediscovery and re-investigation of classics from all eras and cultures, and to the development of new plays of heightened language and classical themes. Revelation Readings provides a unique opportunity to hear these plays performed by many of the finest actors in New York.

Revelation Readings are Monday evenings at 7:30 PM, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre (121 Christopher Street, between Bleecker and Hudson Streets), beginning Monday November 14th with The Knight of the Burning Pestle by Francis Beaumont, directed by Everett Quinton and featuring Ryan Garbayo. Tickets for Revelation Readings are $42, with Premium Seats available at $64. For complete list of Readings and up-to-date cast information, visit www.redbulltheater.com.

Red Bull Theater is the not-profit Off-Broadway theater company specializing in plays of heightened language. With the Jacobean plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries as its cornerstone, Red Bull Theater embraces the imagination of theatergoers through intimate, imaginative productions of great classic stories from all eras and cultures.

Red Bull Theater has previously staged productions of Pericles, The Revenger's Tragedy, Edward the Second, Women Beware Women, The Duchess of Malfi, The Witch of Edmonton, The Maids, The Dance of Death, Loot, The Mystery of Irma Vep, Volpone, 'Tis Pity She's A Whore, as well as last season's hit productions of Middleton and Rowley's The Changeling and Sheridan's The School For Scandal.

Red Bull Theater's work has been recognized with multiple Drama Desk, Drama League, Lucille Lortel, Callaway and OBIE Award nominations and awards, including the Off-Broadway Alliance Award for Best Revival in the 2015-'16 season (School for Scandal). The company has staged nearly 150 Revelation Readings, named by the Village Voice "Best Play Reading Series," also developing new plays of heightened language and classical adaptations through workshops and offering educational programs for students of all ages. Post-play Bull Session discussions with scholars following select Sunday matinees and Readings are free and open to the public.

For tickets and more information, visit www.redbulltheater.com or call (212) 352-3101.

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