KUNENE AND THE KING

By John Kani
Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Produced in association with Octopus Theatricals
Feb 16–March 16, 2025 | KLEIN THEATRE

South African actor, activist, and playwright John Kani (Marvel’s Black Panther, Sizwe Banzi Is Dead/The Island) stars in his story of Shakespeare’s unifying force.  

A celebrated classical actor has just been given a career-defining role as King Lear and a life-changing diagnosis—and Lunga Kunene (John Kani) has been charged with his care. As Jack Morris (Edward Gero) confronts his mortality, two men brought together by necessity discover the unifying power of Shakespeare a quarter century after the fall of apartheid. Written and performed by Tony-winner John Kani (Black Panther, The Island, Sizwe Banzi is Dead), Edward Gero (The Lehman Trilogy) joins this “poignant two-hander” (The Guardian) in the play’s U.S. premiere.

UNCLE VANYA

By Anton Chekhov
Adapted by Conor McPherson
Directed by Simon Godwin
Produced in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre
March 30–April 20, 2025 | HARMAN HALL

Hugh Bonneville makes his D.C. debut in STC’s first ever production of a play by Anton Chekhov.  

When the distinguished elderly owner of a rural estate returns with a new, young wife, Yelena, chaos erupts. Tensions run high, marriages reach their limits, confessions—and vodka—flow freely, and weapons are drawn. Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, Paddington) plays Uncle Vanya, in this heartbreaking comedy about the eternal battle between futility and change.  

*This title will be presented in a 3/4 thrust.

FRANKENSTEIN

By Mary Shelley
Adapted and directed by Emily Burns
May 27–June 22, 2025 | KLEIN THEATRE

Buckle in for an electrifying take on a classic tale.  

Emily Burns (adaptor of STC’s Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing), reimagines Mary Shelley‘s romantic gothic science fiction masterpiece as a chilling exploration of what it means to create a new life. Visceral and provocative, this production reveals the inner lives of Elizabeth and Victor Frankenstein in bold new ways. Riding the edge of cinematic thriller and intense drama, Frankenstein redefines the legend we know, the name we fear, and the monstrous act at the heart of the story.

*Special Season Add-On

DUEL REALITY

by The 7 Fingers
directed by Shana Carroll
Originally produced and created with Virgin Voyages
Commissioning partner ArtsEmerson

July 1–20, 2025 | HARMAN HALL

An action-packed acrobatic take on Shakespeare’s classic love story.

Experience the passion and tragedy of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers in this exhilarating production set in an acrobatic sporting arena. Crackling with electric energy, Duel Reality brings highflying theatricality to the feud between the Montagues and Capulets. Reimagining sword fights with aerial grace and leaps of faith as literal leaps across the Harman Hall stage, betrayal, intrigue, and doomed love remain at the heart of this action-packed retelling of Romeo and Juliet. This international spectacular has been hailed by critics as “entertaining, gratifying, and a fantastic experience” (Berkeley Beacon).