Speaking of Shakespeare Link

Speaking of Shakespeare
In 2007 the UNIVERSITY CLUB OF WASHINGTON became another host for SOS programs, providing the venue for a luncheon gathering with actor Roger Rees.

We launched our season in January at the SHAKESPEARE THEATRE COMPANY with RAFE ESQUITH, a charismatic teacher from southern California whose work had inspired The Hobart Shakespeareans, an award-winning PBS documentary. We then proceeded to the CORCORAN GALLERY for a riveting conversation with an even more famous educator, E. R. BRAITHWAITE, whose memoir To Sir, With Love, had provided a famous film role for Sidney Poitier. Next up was a NATIONAL ARTS CLUB gathering in New York with actress KATE FORBES, who discussed several roles she'd played at THEATRE FOR A NEW AUDIENCE. We then enjoyed a delightful NAC conversation with New Yorker critic ADAM GOPNIK, who talked about Through the Children's Gate, a book about his family's return to New York after several years in Paris. In April we returned to D.C. for a fascinating dialogue with the multitalented ROGER REES, who reflected only about his new one-man show, What You Will, but about his work as Artistic Director of the Williamstown Theatre Festival in the Berkshires.

In October we launched a busy autumn at the NATIONAL ARTS CLUB with F. MURRAY ABRAHAM, who talked about his dual roles as Barabas in The Jew of Malta and Shylock in The Merchant of Venice under the aegis of Theatre for a New Audience. In November playwright KEN LUDWIG reminisced about such hits as Lend Me a Tenor, Crazy for You, and Leading Ladies. And in December actor ALVIN EPSTEIN discussed not only the Shakespearean roles he has played, but his work in classics by dramatists such as Samuel Beckett and Kurt Weill.

For details about offerings that have been presented in other seasons, click on the years that follow: 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2020. And for information about upcoming programs, visit our Current Events page.