For Immediate Release: Press Contact: Liza Holtmeier December 14, 2005 202.608.6302 [email protected]

SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY’S 2005•2006 SEASON CONTINUES WITH DON JUAN BY MOLIÈRE Translated, adapted and directed by Stephen Wadsworth

WASHINGTON, D.C. –The Shakespeare Theatre Company continues its 2005•2006 season with Stephen Wadsworth directing his translation/adaptation of Molière’s Don Juan, which runs from January 24 to March 19, 2006. Immediately censored following its opening night performance, Molière’s Don Juan takes the rakish character of legend and turns him into a relentless social critic, railing against the conventions and hypocrisy of his society. Wadsworth’s translation/adaptation reimagines the play’s fateful premiere, the last time Molière’s original text was ever heard. For the production, Wadsworth directs a cast that includes Jeremy Webb in the title role and Michael Milligan as Sganarelle. Media partner Roll Call provides promotional support throughout the run. After fleeing his latest conquest and wife, Donna Elvira, Don Juan returns to Sicily to pursue yet another of his “loves.” When Don Juan nearly dies attempting to kidnap her, his servant, Sganarelle, argues passionately for him to change his ways. But Don Juan remains rebellious, lying to his lovers, swindling his creditors and embracing hypocrisy in order to hide his own misdeeds. Even in the face of Heaven’s ultimate judgment, Don Juan refuses to repent. “Every important artist who has adapted the Don Juan story has needed to say things about the society at hand,” explains Wadsworth. “Molière, hard hit by the rejection of Tartuffe (already a rather shocking commentary on a decadent, hypocritical society), cut even deeper with his Don Juan. Molière gave his hero a diamond•point intellect and let him loose on religion, politics and the social contract. Sex is part of it, but by no means all. Molière’s Don Juan is by far the most vivid social critic of all the Don Juans I have encountered.”

THE DIRECTOR Wadsworth’s productions of plays by Aeschylus, Shakespeare, Molière, Marivaux, Goldoni, Shaw, Wilde, Schnitzler and Coward have played at McCarter Theatre, Seattle Repertory, Berkeley Repertory, Mark Taper Forum, San Diego’s Old Globe, Long Wharf Theatre, Huntington Theatre and many others, establishing Wadsworth as a master of the classical repertoire. For his groundbreaking translations of three works of Marivaux and his scholarly and literary achievement with Don Juan, the French government decorated him in with the Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres. Wadsworth also has translated operas by Monteverdi, Handel, Mozart and Zimmermann and co•authored the opera A Quiet Place with Leonard Bernstein. His work as a director of opera has been seen at the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala Milan, London’s Royal Opera, the Vienna State Opera, the Edinburgh Festival and in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, Amsterdam, Santa Fe and Seattle, where his production of Wagner’s Ring cycle, new in 2001, played again in the summer of 2005. His current season also includes Handel’s Rodelinda at the Met, Shaw’s Misalliance at the Old Globe and the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Don Juan, a play he has directed for McCarter Theatre, the Old Globe and Seattle Repertory, which recently commissioned a play from him.

THE CAST Jeremy Webb makes his Shakespeare Theatre Company debut in the title role. Webb’s New York credits include Off•Broadway productions of Paula Vogel's The Baltimore Waltz (directed by Mark Brokaw at the Signature Theatre), Tabletop (for which he won a Drama Desk Award), Summer '69 and Three O'Clock in Brooklyn. He also has performed at such regional theatres as the Old Globe, McCarter Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory, Indiana Repertory, St. Louis Repertory and Great Lakes Theater Festival, among many others. Also making his Shakespeare Theatre Company debut is Michael Milligan in the role of Sganarelle, Don Juan’s servant. Milligan most recently performed in a one•man show, Thom Pain (based on nothing) at the DR2 Theatre in New York. Before that, he appeared as Lexy in Candida and Isaac in Manhattan Ensemble Theater's The Golem with Robert Prosky. Milligan has performed Shakespeare across the country, playing such roles as Hamlet, Mercutio, Romeo, Dromio, Orlando and Benedick. Francesca Faridany makes her Shakespeare Theatre Company debut as Donna Elvira and Don Alonso. Faridany’s numerous regional credits include performances with the Old Globe, Seattle Repertory, McCarter Theatre, Berkeley Repertory, Long Wharf Theatre and La Jolla Playhouse, among others. This is her fourth time in the roles of Donna Elvira and Don Alonso. The production also features Gilbert Cruz as Gusman and The Statue; Burton Curtis as Pierrot, Pauper and La Violette; Daniel Harray as Don Carlos and La Remee; Laura Heisler as Charlotte and Ragotin; Laura Kenny as Mathurine and Mr. Dimanche; Laurence O’Dwyer as Prologue Player and Don Luis; and ensemble members Dacyl Acevedo, Jordan Coughtry, Nicholas Urda and Ryan Young.

THE DESIGNERS For the production, Wadsworth brings a team of designers new to Shakespeare Theatre Company audiences. With their designs, they have recreated what 17th•century audiences would have seen on stage. Set Designer Kevin Rupnik designed a series of exquisitely painted scenic drops. Rupnik has worked with Wadsworth on productions of the Misalliance and Design for Living; he also designed the sets for a Broadway revival of Ghosts, for productions Off• Broadway, and for opera and film. Costume Designer Anna R. Oliver has created resplendent Louis XIV costumes, rich with ornamental details. Oliver has designed costumes for productions at Seattle Repertory, Long Wharf Theatre, San Jose Repertory, La Jolla Playhouse, Berkeley Repertory, McCarter Theatre and numerous opera companies. The design team also includes Lighting Designer Joan Alheger, Composer Christopher Walker, Resident Sound Designer Martin Desjardins, Resident Voice and Text Consultant Ellen O’Brien and Choreographer Daniel Pelzig.

MEDIA PARTNER The Shakespeare Theatre Company is pleased to welcome Roll Call as the media partner for Don Juan. Media partners are instrumental in exposing the Shakespeare Theatre Company and its productions to new markets and audiences. Widely regarded as the leading publication for Congressional news and information, Roll Call ranked highest in regular readership with Congressional opinion leaders in a recent survey. Thorough, authoritative and entertaining, Roll Call is often the first to break major news stories on the issues and personalities that shape America's laws. Roll Call provides its readers with up•to•the•minute news of the legislative and political maneuvers that happen every day on Capitol Hill. In addition to breaking news, readers get keen insight from such respected Washington analysts as Morton Kondracke, Stuart Rothenberg and Norman Ornstein, plus political coverage of Congressional elections across the country. With revealing articles by its staff of award•winning journalists, Roll Call is a “must read” from Capitol Hill to K Street, from 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to beyond the Beltway.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS · On Sunday, January 29, at 1 p.m., the Shakespeare Theatre Company continues Windows, a lively discussion and introduction to Don Juan with local scholars and members of the artistic staff. All are welcome. Call 202.547.1122 and press 4 to reserve a space. · Following the evening performance ofDon Juan on Wednesday, February 1, all are welcome for a post•show discussion with members of the cast. Those attending the evening’s performance are guaranteed seats. Limited additional seating is available on a first•come basis. Call 202.547.1122 for the approximate start time. No reservations required. · On Saturday, March 11, following the 2 p.m. matinee, the Shakespeare Theatre Company sponsors Classics in Context. This lively discussion features scholars and artists discussing their connection to the play. Call 202.547.1122 and press 4 to reserve a space. · There will be audio•described performances of Don Juan on Saturday, February 18, at 2 p.m. and Thursday, February 23, at 8 p.m. Sign•interpreted performances are Tuesday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 4, at 2 p.m. FACT SHEET: Don Juan by Molière Translated, adapted and directed by Stephen Wadsworth

The Shakespeare Theatre Company continues its 2005•2006 season with Stephen Wadsworth directing his translation/adaptation of Molière’s Don Juan, which runs from January 24 to March 19, 2006. Immediately censored following its opening night performance, Molière’s Don Juan takes the rakish character of legend and turns him into a relentless social critic, railing against the conventions and hypocrisy of his society. Wadsworth’s translation/adaptation reimagines the play’s fateful premiere, the last time Molière’s original text was ever heard. For the production, Wadsworth directs a cast that includes Jeremy Webb in the title role and Michael Milligan as Sganarelle.

DATES: January 24 to March 19, 2006 Press Night: Sunday, January 29, 2006 Opening Night: Monday, January 30, 2006

LOCATION: Shakespeare Theatre Company, 450 7th St. NW, between D and E streets, just off Pennsylvania Avenue, between the Capitol and the White House.

TIMES: Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. (except January 31); Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 7:30 p.m. (except March 19); matinees on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. (except January 29); matinee at noon on Wednesday, March 15

TICKETS: $14.25•$71.25 with discounts available for groups, senior citizens and students.

ACCESSIBILITY: The Lansburgh Theatre is accessible to persons with disabilities, offering wheelchair• accessible seating and restrooms, audio enhancement at every performance, and Braille and large print programs. · On Sunday, January 29, at 1 p.m., the Shakespeare Theatre Company continues Windows, a lively discussion and introduction to Don Juan with local scholars and members of the artistic staff. All are welcome. Call 202.547.1122 and press 4 to reserve a space. · Following the evening performance Donof Juan on Wednesday, February 1, all are welcome for a post•show discussion with members of the cast. Those attending the evening’s performance are guaranteed seats. Limited additional seating is available on a first•come basis. Call 202.547.1122 for the approximate start time. No reservations required. · On Saturday, March 11, following the 2 p.m. matinee, the Shakespeare Theatre Company sponsors Classics in Context. This lively discussion features scholars and artists discussing their connection to the play. Call 202.547.1122 and press 4 to reserve a space. · There will be audio•described performances Donof Juan on Saturday, February 18, at 2 p.m. and Thursday, February 23, at 8 p.m. Sign•interpreted performances are Tuesday, February 28, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, March 4, at 2 p.m.

PARKING: Paid parking is available in the PMI parking garage on D Street, between Eighth and Ninth streets, and the Colonial Parking garage in the Lansburgh building (enter on Eighth Street between D and E streets).

METRO: Archives•Navy Mem'l• Penn Quarter station (Yellow and Green Lines) is one and one•half blocks south of the Theatre. Gallery Pl•Chinatown station (Red, Yellow and Green Lines) is one block north of the Theatre at the MCI Center. For further information, call Metro at 202.637.7000.

Box Office: 202.547.1122 (voice) TTY: 202.638.3863 Toll Free: 877.487.8849 ShakespeareTheatre.org