I’ve announced this on social media and I’m just now catching up on my website. I don’t even have words to express how excited I am: Sean Hagerty, Founder and Producing Artistic Director of The Curtain theatre company in Jersey City, NJ, has asked me to play one of Shakespeare’s greatest villains in March 2026: Richard III.
Sean and I have been talking about this since we worked on his company’s inaugural production of Hamlet together back in 2019. At last the pieces are falling into place to make it happen. Also joining me on this thrill ride are pals Aria Shaghasemi and Christianna Nelson. Aria played my son Laertes in Hamlet, and all three of us were in The Curtain’s 2023 production of Romeo and Juliet. Aria will play Richmond and Christi will be our Queen Elizabeth. Last week we held callbacks for the remaining roles and I can only say that our entire cast is absolutely terrific.
Sean’s new version of the script is lean, mean, and very funny. It’s the best version I’ve ever read. This will be unlike any other production of Richard III that you have seen. I’m honored that Sean is entrusting me with portraying this witty, vicious, larger-than-life monster in what is shaping up to be an absolutely incredible production. And timely? Wow. Wait till you see how Shakespeare’s words resonate with our current times.
Rehearsals start February 3rd and performances run Thursdays-Sundays March 5-29 at Nimbus Arts Center in Jersey City—a five-minute walk from the Grove Street PATH station. It will be so worth the short commute! You’re not going to want to miss this one.