Previews for director Robert Icke‘s contemporary adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet begin June 1 at Park Avenue Armory. Opening night is set for June 28, with a run through August 13. The tragedy is being performed in repertory with Icke’s adaptation of Aeschylus’ Oresteia, which begins previews June 9.

Hamlet stars Alex Lawther in the title role, joined by Lia Williams as Gertrude, Angus Wright as Claudius, Olivier winner Luke Treadaway as Laertes, Kirsty Rider as Ophelia, Peter Wight as Polonius, Joshua Higgott as Horatio and understudy for Hamlet, Tia Bannon as Guildenstern, Calum Finlay as Rosencrantz and understudy for Laertes, and Michael Abubakar as Marcellus.

David Rintoul, Hara Yannas, Gilbert Kyem Jr., Ross Waiton, and Marty Cruikshank fill out the cast. Cruickshank, Finlay, Higgott, Rintoul, Wight, and Wright all starred in the original Almeida Theatre production of Hamlet.

Icke’s Hamlet and Oresteia premiered at the Almeida Theatre, but his adaptations of the two family dramas will be performed in repertory together for the first time at Park Avenue Armory.

“It is no small feat to stage one epic tragedy, but this stellar cast, under the singular direction of Robert Icke, will bring two to life at once,” said Rebecca Robertson, Founding President and Executive Producer of Park Avenue Armory, in a statement.

For tickets and more information, visit ArmoryOnPark.org.

Noted Shakespeare performer Richard Katz is coming to London’s Cabaret, taking over the role of Herr Schultz from June 27. Current Emcee and Sally Bowles Fra Fee and Amy Lennox (respectively) have additionally extended their runs in the production to October 1.

Also joining the company will be Gabriela Benedetti (who was in the original Prologue Company for the show) and Adam Taylor. The Prologue Company, a group of nine actors, dancers, and musicians who welcome audiences to the world of the club as they arrive at the theatre, consists of Rachel Benson, Laura Braid, Asmara Cammock, Julian Capolei, Celine Fortenbacher, Reuben Greeph, Samantha Ho, Andrew Linnie, Carys McQueen, Hicaro Nicolai, Kate Robson-Stuart and Sally Swanson.

Continuing in the show are Omar Baroud as Cliff Bradshaw, Vivien Parry as Fraulein Schneider, Stewart Clarke as Ernst Ludwig, and Anna-Jane Casey as Fraulein Kost. The cast is completed by Josh Andrews, Emily Benjamin, Sally Frith, Matthew Gent, Emma Louise Jones, Ela Lisondra, Theo Maddix, Chris O’Mara, Daniel Perry, Andre Refig, Christopher Tendai, Bethany Terry, Lillie-Pearl Wildman and Sophie Maria Wojna.

Based on a play by John Van Druten and stories by Christopher Isherwood, Cabaret has music by Kander, lyrics by Ebb, and a book by Joe Masteroff. Additional music for this production is composed by Angus MacRae

The creative team includes set and costume designer Tom Scutt, choreographer Julia Cheng, musical director Jennifer Whyte, lighting designer Isabella Byrd, and sound designer Nick Lidster. Casting is by Stuart Burt, with Jordan Fein serving as associate director.

Tickets are now being sold through November 19 at kitkat.club.

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Take a Look at New Photos of Amy Lennox and Fra Fee in Cabaret

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Roundabout Theatre Company‘s production of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle concludes its Broadway premiere run May 29. Preview performances began March 18 at the American Airlines Theatre, ahead of an April 10 opening night. 

Vivienne Benesch directs the cast, led by Emmy winner Debra Messing (Will and Grace, Outside Mullingar) and including Tony nominee John Earl Jelks (Sweat, Radio Golf), Enrico Colantoni (Just Shoot Me, Veronica Mars) in his Broadway debut, Crystal Finn (Roundabout’s Bobbie Clearly), Susannah Flood (The Cherry Orchard), and Christopher Livingston (Roundabout’s Something Clean).

The play follows Ernestine Ashworth (Messing), who, through the baking of a birthday cake over a 100-year period, examines her life and place in the universe.

READ: Playwright Noah Haidle Examines a Lifetime in Birthday Candles

The design team includes set design by Christine Jones, costume design by Toni-Leslie James, lighting design by Jen Schriever, sound design by John Gromada, and original music by Kate Hopgood.

Birthday Candles was commissioned by Detroit Public Theatre where it premiered in 2018. Revenue generated from the Broadway run and from future productions will help fund DPT’s new theatre venue, slated to open in the fall. Haidle is a DPT board member, and fellow Broadway playwright Dominique Morrisseau serves as the company’s executive artistic producer. A group of over 150 DPT supporters attended the Broadway production of Birthday Candles this spring.

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See Debra Messing and Company in the World Premiere of Birthday Candles

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MCC Theater’s soft resumes performances May 28 following cancellations due to breakthrough COVID-19 cases within the company. The show played one preview performance May 12 at the The Susan & Ronald Frankel Theater, located in The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space. Opening night has been rescheduled to June 9 and the production is now set to run through June 26. It was originally set to run through June 19.

Written by Donja R. Love and directed by Whitney White, the story follows a correctional boarding school teacher, Mr. Isaiah, and his response to one of his students dying by suicide. Featured in the cast are Leon Addison Brown as Mr. Cartwright, Biko Eisen-Martin as Mr. Isaiah, Dharon Jones as Antoine, Essence Lotus as Dee, Travis Raeburn as Bashir, Shakur Tolliver as Kevin, Dario Vazquez as Jamal, and Ed Ventura as Eddie.

During the show’s limited run, the theatre will host Black and Brown Theater Night and multiple audience conversations.

The play features scenic design by Adam Rigg, costume design by Qween Jean, lighting design by Cha See, sound design by Germán Martínez, original music by Mauricio Escamilla, and fight direction by UnkleDave’s Fight-House. The prop supervisor is Andrew Diaz and the production stage manager is Rachel Denise April.

For more information, visit MCCTheater.com.