Shakespeare Theatre Company's WILL ON THE HILL Set for 5/6

The bipartisan favorite of both theatre and political fans, Will on the Hill returns to the Shakespeare Theatre Company this spring. This year's Will on the Hill is marked by a performance of Toil and Trouble, an original play by Peter Byrne written with assistance from The West Wing Writers Group. Will on the Hill will be directed by STC Associate Director Alan Paul and take place on Monday, May 6, 2013, in Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW). The evening begins with a VIP cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by the performance at 7:30 p.m. and a buffet dinner immediately following the performance.

Will on the Hill welcomes Members of Congress, Senators and distinguished Washington insiders onto the Shakespeare Theatre Company stage to perform scenes from Shakespeare infused with comedic references to contemporary politics. The event pays tribute to the unique dynamic of our city and provides a wonderful way to engage new audiences. This year's cast for Will on the Hill includes acclaimed actor and Creative Coalition member John Leguizamo, best known for roles in the feature films Romeo + Juliet, Moulin Rouge and Ice Age, among others. Anna Chlumsky, known for her performances in VEEP and In the Loop, will co-star with Leguizamo in this year's event.

Toil and Trouble offers a hilarious look inside Washington media. In the Washington studios of a national news network, the staff is on high alert. The White House has announced that it will be delivering a major statement at any moment, but that's all-no details, no hints. With nothing to go on, but plenty of air time to fill, two veteran anchors try to hold onto their audience (and their sanity) by bringing on a series of guests. Unfortunately, the only guests available are attending a Shakespearean costume ball, lending an improbably comic air to the proceedings.

Many Senators and members of Congress will join Leguizamo and Chlumsky on the STC stage, including Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Susan Davis (D-CA), Donna Edwards (D-MD), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Michael Grimm (R-NY), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Jared Polis (D-CO), Peter Roskam (R-IL), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) and Peter Welch (D-VT). Other illustrious cast members include Marla Allard, Jonathan Allen (Senior Washington Correspondent, Politico), Rita Braver (National Correspondent, CBS Sunday Morning), Robin Bronk (CEO, The Creative Coalition), Rose Carter, Bob Cusack (Managing Editor, The Hill), Major Garrett (Chief White House Correspondent, CBS), Rick Klein (ABC News' Senior Washington Editor, World News with Diane Sawyer), Chris Matthews (Hardball with Chris Matthews) and Susan Stamberg (NPR's Weekend Edition). The Honorary Co-Chairs for the event are Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Speaker John Boehner (R-OH), Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA).

A select number of performance-only tickets to this popular event are available online at http://www.shakespearetheatre.org/WillontheHill for $50. VIP tickets are available for purchase, and include a pre-performance cocktail reception and a buffet dinner with the opportunity to meet and dine with members of the cast and event sponsors. VIP tickets can be purchased for $250 by emailing WillontheHill@ShakespeareTheatre.org.

Proceeds from this event support STC's many education, artistic and community engagement programs including in-school workshops and online learning resources that inspire new and diverse audiences and deepen the connection to classical theatre in learners of all ages.

Please note: The Shakespeare Theatre Company is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Company does not retain or employ registered lobbyists or foreign agents.

Cast members subject to change.

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