The Gift Theatre has completed casting for its upcoming production of Shakespeare's Richard III, featuring artistic director Michael Patrick Thornton in the title role. Thornton talked about the production, including what his Richard will look like thanks to an assist from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, in an interview last fall coinciding with his win for Best Actor in Time Out's inaugural Theater Awards.
The full cast for the production, to be staged by director Jessica Thebus at the Steppenwolf Garage rather than the Gift's Jefferson Park storefront, will also include Jenny Avery (Elizabeth), Brittany Burch (Young Prince), John Kelly Connolly (Brakenbury), Thom Cox (Clarence), Olivia Cygan (Anne), Adrian Danzig (Tyrell), Shanesia Davis (Margaret) Greg Fenner (Richmond), Chris Peltier (Dorset), Caroline Lotta (Duchess), Martel Manning (Rivers), Kenny Mihlfried (Tent Attendant), Keith Neagle (Buckingham), Hannah Toriumi (Young Edward), Jay Worthington (Catsby) and Kyle Zornes (Hastings).
The Gift also revealed that its production, part of the citywide Shakespeare 400 Chicago celebration, will be livestreamed via Periscope on April 23, the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death. Richard III runs March 3–May 1.