National Asian American Theatre Company has assembled an all-femme, all-Asian American cast and design team for its upcoming world premiere adaptation of William Shakespeare's Cymbeline, presented in partnership with Play On Shakespeare. The Off-Broadway company will stage the new modern verse translation of the work from Andrea Thome, with performances beginning January 17, 2025, at the Lynn F. Angelson Theater ahead of a January 23 opening night.
Amy Hill will lead the cast in the title role, alongside Purva Bedi, Annie Fang, Anna Ishida, Narea Kang, Jennifer Lim, KK Moggie, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Julyanna Soelistyo, Sarah Suzuki, and Jeena Yi.
Stephen Brown-Fried is directing, leading a creative team that will include scenic designer Ant Ma, costume designer Mariko Ohigashi, lighting designer Yiyuan Li, and sound designer Caroline Eng.
鈥�Cymbeline was one of the last plays Shakespeare wrote, at a time when he was fully aware of theatre鈥檚 power to confront the deepest questions of existence," says Brown-Fried in a statement. "There鈥檚 evidence the play was first performed after a long closure of the theatres due to the plague, and in the play, we can feel Shakespeare wrestling not only with the brokenness of the world, but also with the exuberance of rebirth, and the courageousness of hope. Throughout the play, Shakespeare presents us with images almost too fantastical to believe鈥攁 wicked queen, a conniving villain, a headless body鈥攗ntil ultimately, god descends onstage declaring 'Whom best I love I cross; to make my gift, the more delayed, delighted.' In this play, Shakespeare creates a theatrical journey as surprising, perplexing, and ultimately as rewarding as life itself."
Tickets are available at .
