by James Goldman Directed by Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson
It is Christmas in the 12th century, and Henry II’s family is in tatters. His wife, and sworn enemy, has just been released from prison; his three sons are gridlocked in duplicitous scheming; and his mistress is betrothed to his son. The Lion in Winter depicts a family’s attempt to persevere in the face of staggering egos, ruthless ambition, and deceit at every turn. Resident Artist Ron OJ Parson directs this clever, Tony Award-winning epic with humor and heart.
by Sophocles, Translated by Nicholas Rudall Directed by Gabrielle Randle-Bent, Associate Artistic Director
As Antigone mourns her brothers, she must decide if she will sacrifice her life to balance the scales of justice. Associate Artistic Director Gabrielle Randle-Bent’s interpretation of Sophocles’ masterwork - featuring Aeriel Williams in the titular role and Timothy Edward Kane as King Creon - renders Antigone electrifyingly alive, situating this tale in our modern conversation about the price of democracy, and asking - crucially - if it's a price we're willing to pay.
by Tom Stoppard Directed by Charles Newell, Marilyn F. Vitale Artistic Director
Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead spotlights two of Shakespeare’s minor characters as they wrestle with fundamental, pressing questions of identity, loss, fate, friendship, and the absurdity of existence. Charles Newell’s deconstructed interpretation propels the story forward with newfound immediacy, urging us to reconsider what we know about Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, Hamlet, and perhaps even Stoppard himself.
Civil rights activist Kwame Ture, born Stokely Carmichael, was a towering icon; a man of immense domestic and international importance. But he was also just that: a man. Blending the historical and the personal, Stokely: The Unfinished Revolution asks: how can you trust someone with a movement when you can’t trust them with your heart? Tasia A. Jones makes her Court directorial debut with playwright Nambi E. Kelley’s evocative world premiere.
Court Theatre is proud to remount our production of The Gospel at Colonus at the Getty Villa in Malibu, California from August 31 - September 30, 2023. Join us at the Getty Villa to experience the joy, redemption, and healing of Chicago gospel all the way in the Golden State!
Composition As Explanation is Eighth Blackbird's next foray into uncharted aesthetic territories. This time the evening is composed by David Lang and directed by Anne Bogart, though the true hero of the evening is Gertrude Stein. Her essay (by the same name) is the heart and breath of this work.