Ethan Hawke, Duncan Sheik & More Join Classic Stage Company’s 2012-13 Season

Chekhov’s Ivanov, starring Ethan Hawke, and Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle, with a score by Tony winner Duncan Sheik, round out Classic Stage Company’s upcoming 45th anniversary season. The off-Broadway company will also present a previously announced revival of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Passion, starring Judy Kuhn and Melissa Errico.

Hawke will make his CSC debut in October 2012, playing the title character in Ivanov, directed by Austin Pendleton. Joining Hawke are Roberta Maxwell, George Morfogen, Juliet Rylance and Louis Zorich, all of whom have been featured in previous Chekhov Cycle offerings at the company.

Next up, in February 2013, will be Passion, directed by Tony winner John Doyle. Set in 19th century Italy, Passion follows handsome soldier Giorgio, who becomes the object of obsessive love from Fosca (Kuhn), his colonel's chronically ill, bedridden cousin. The story unfolds as Giorgio sends and receives letters from his mistress, Clara (Errico). Additional casting will be announced in the coming months.

The final production of the mainstage season, in April 2013, will be Bertolt Brecht’s The Caucasian Chalk Circle, featuring a new score by acclaimed Tony Award-winning singer/songwriter Duncan Sheik (Spring Awakening). Directed by Brian Kulick, Brecht’s playful parable calls into question our basic assumptions of right in a world that has gone wrong. No casting has been announced at this time.