For Immediate Release: Press Contact: Lauren Beyea April 11, 2008 547.3230 ext. 2314 [email protected]

SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS THE FREE FOR ALL PRODUCTION OF AT CARTER BARRON AMPHITHEATRE, MAY 22 to JUNE 1, 2008

30,000 expected to enjoy free outdoor performances of Shakespeare

Washington, D.C. – Heralded as one of Washington’s favorite traditions, the Shakespeare Theatre Company Free For All presents Hamlet at Carter Barron Amphitheatre (16th Street and Colorado Avenue NW) in Rock Creek Park from May 22 to June 1, 2008. Originally directed by Artistic Director Michael Kahn, the production has been restaged by Alexander Burns and features returning cast members Jeffrey Carlson and Michelle Beck. Patrick Page (Othello, Macbeth) joins the cast to play Claudius, Tony-Award winner Chuck Cooper will play Polonius, Susan Hart will play Gertrude and Dakin Matthews performs the Ghost of Hamlet’s father, Gravedigger and the Player King. More than 560,000 people have attended the Free For All since 1991, when Shakespeare Theatre Company Artistic Director Michael Kahn and Founding Chairman R. Robert Linowes inaugurated the tradition of free Shakespeare in D.C. with Kahn’s production of The Merry Wives of Windsor. “Each summer, we pack up one of our mainstage plays, take it out to the park and make a great work of Shakespeare accessible to as wide an audience as possible, many of whom have never been to the theatre before: young people, students and people on fixed incomes,” Kahn said. “It’s a great pleasure to see people discover Shakespeare in a relaxed, outdoor setting, often alongside their children.” One of the greatest plays ever written, Hamlet has captivated audiences for 400 years with its explorations of life, love, duty and vengeance. Commanded by his murdered father’s ghost to seek revenge, Hamlet struggles with the human and spiritual costs of pursuing justice. Featuring some of the most beautiful language ever written, Hamlet marks a turning point in Shakespeare’s career toward more complex depictions of good and evil, of heroes and villains. The production is set in a modern world evoking the secrecy and mystery of its Danish court. Jeffrey Carlson portrays Hamlet as a young man experiencing death, love and betrayal for the first time. When the Shakespeare Theatre Company first presented Hamlet in 2007, the Washington Times praised Carlson as “magnetically effective as the moody, unpredictable Hamlet,” and DC Theatre Reviews call the production “lush, gorgeous, thrilling, lucid, hilarious, moving and profound.” Alexander Burns has served as assistant director for the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s mainstage productions of Hamlet, Edward II and Titus Andronicus, acted as directorial assistant for the Page 2 Hamlet

Company’s 2007 production of Richard III and directed for the ReDiscovery Series. A graduate of Northwestern University, Burns has directed for the Exigent Theatre and assistant directed at the Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, The Old Globe, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival and Syracuse Stage. The cast also features J. Clint Allen, Colby Chambers, Elliot Dash, Kyle Haden, Bill Largess, Kenneth Lee, John-Michael McDonald and Michael Zlabinger.

Sponsors of the Free For All Leadership support for the 2008 Shakespeare Theatre Company Free For All is provided by the Real Estate Community Partners, , The Philip L. Graham Fund, Harman International, Inc., Jane and Sidney Harman, and Friends of Free For All, with additional support from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Ameriprise Financial, The Cal and Jeff Leonard Charitable Fund, The Clark-Winchcole Foundation, and many other community-minded companies, organizations and individuals.

Students for Shakespeare Students for Shakespeare introduces new and diverse audiences to live theatre and the works of . This program provides schools, students groups and community-based organizations with early and reserved seating, pre-performance discussions with members of the cast, and advance copies of the Free For All Play Guide. The Free For All Play Guide contains a synopsis of the show and background information on Shakespeare and the play. A pre-performance announcement welcomes all Students for Shakespeare participants.

Friends of Free For All This summer, the individuals and organizations who participate in the Friends of Free For All membership campaign will help raise a portion of the nearly $750,000 needed to produce Hamlet. Contributors of $150+ receive advance tickets mailed to their home, reserved seating in special sections and recognition at the Amphitheatre. Donations are fully tax-deductible. In keeping with the spirit of the Free For All, seating sections for Friends are interspersed with open seating to give all audience members equal access to the best seats at Carter Barron Amphitheatre. For information on becoming a Friend of Free For All, call the Membership Department at 202.547.1122, option 7.

Volunteers Hundreds of volunteers are needed to help the annual Shakespeare Theatre Company Free For All run smoothly. Volunteers receive a complimentary light meal and reserved seating. For more information on volunteering call 202.547.3230 ext. 2319 or email [email protected].

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Shakespeare Theatre Company Free For All at Carter Barron Amphitheatre Hamlet by William Shakespeare directed by Alexander Burns original direction by Michael Kahn

May 22 to June 1, 2008 7:30 p.m. nightly; no performance Monday

Commanded by his murdered father’s ghost to seek revenge, Hamlet struggles with the human and spiritual costs of pursuing justice.

In addition to its eight-play season at the Harman Center for the Arts downtown in the nation’s capital, the Shakespeare Theatre Company presents free outdoor performances each summer in the scenic 3,700-seat Carter Barron Amphitheatre in northwest Washington, D.C. It’s a perfect setting for picnicking and enjoying Shakespeare under the stars.

FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE FREE FOR ALL: Visit the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s website at ShakespeareTheatre.org OR CALL 202.334.4790

TICKETS: All tickets are free. Individuals may get up to four free tickets on the day of the performance at the following locations: • Sidney Harman Hall: 610 F Street NW. Tuesdays through Sundays beginning at noon.

• Carter Barron Amphitheatre: 16th Street and Colorado Avenue NW. Tuesdays through Sundays beginning at noon.

• The Washington Post: 1150 15th Street NW. Tuesdays through Fridays only, beginning at 8:30 a.m.

• Online: A limited number of tickets will be available at ShakespeareTheatre.org from May 22 through May 28, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the day of performance.

PARKING: Free on-site parking is available at Carter Barron but often fills to capacity. Carpooling is recommended.

METRO: Silver Spring station (Red Line): Transfer to an S2 or S4 Metrobus with a “Federal Triangle” destination sign. McPherson Square station (Blue and Orange Lines): Patrons should transfer to an S2 or S4 Metrobus with a “Silver Spring,” “16th & Colorado,” “14th & Aspen,” or “16th & Eastern” destination sign. The Amphitheatre is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop at 16th Street and Colorado Avenue NW. For more information on taking Metro to Carter Barron Amphitheatre, call Metro at 202.637.7000 or visit the Metro website at WMATA.com.

For more information on the 2008 Shakespeare Theatre Company Free For All, visit ShakespeareTheatre.org.