Twelfth Night and Richard III, Starring Tony Winner Mark Rylance, Open on Broadway

The all-male productions of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and Richard III, which are being performed in repertory at Broadway's Belasco Theatre, both open November 10. Directed by Tim Carroll, two-time Tony winner Mark Rylance stars as Olivia in Twelfth Night and the title role in Richard III.

The Broadway debut of Shakespeare's Globe productions, Twelfth Night tells the tale of Olivia's household, where two campaigns are being quietly waged—one by the lovesick lord Orsino against the heart of the indifferent Olivia; the other by an alliance of servants and hangers-on against the high-handedness of her steward, the pompous Malvolio. When Orsino engages the cross-dressed Viola to plead with Olivia on his behalf, a bittersweet chain of events follows.

Richard III is the story of Richard, Duke of Gloucester, who is determined that he should wear the crown of England. He has already dispatched one king and that king's son; now all that stand in his way are two credulous brothers and two helpless nephews—the Princes in the Tower. And woe betide those—the women he wrongs, the henchmen he betrays—who dare to raise a voice against him.

The productions feature live music played on traditional Elizabethan instruments with the stage lit almost exclusively by the glow of 100 candles. Audiences will witness the pre-show ritual of actors dressing and preparing their makeup on stage.

In addition to Rylance, cast members include Stephen Fry, Samuel Barnett, Liam Brennan, Paul Chahidi, John Paul Connolly, Peter Hamilton Dyer, Colin Hurley, Jethro Skinner, Angus Wright, Terry McGinity, Kurt Egyiawan, Matt Harrington, Matthew Schechter Hayden Signoretti and Joseph Timms.