“Tug of War: Civil Strife” at Chicago Shakespeare Runs Through Oct. 9

"Tug of War: Civil Strife" at Chicago Shakespeare Runs Through Oct. 9 1 On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater culminates Artistic Director Barbara Gaines’ Tug of War with Civil Strife, where family divisions launch a country into civil war through Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3 and into his notorious tragedy Richard III. This epic theatrical endeavor, which has distilled six Shakespeare histories into two action-packed, six-hour marathon dramas tracing the injustice and intrigues of war, is the Theater’s centerpiece of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival.

On the occasion of the 400th Anniversary of Shakespeare’s legacy in 2016, Chicago Shakespeare Theater culminates Artistic Director Barbara Gaines’ Tug of War with Civil Strife, where family divisions launch a country into civil war through Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Parts 2 and 3 and into his notorious tragedy Richard III. This epic theatrical endeavor, which has distilled six Shakespeare histories into two action-packed, six-hour marathon dramas tracing the injustice and intrigues of war, is the Theater’s centerpiece of the yearlong Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival.

Featuring some of Chicago’s most celebrated actors, the ensemble cast of 18 performs over 100 characters throughout the electrifying drama. Shakespeare’s stirring poetry is complemented with live music performances across genres, from classics and blues to contemporary pop and rock anthems—including songs from Pete Townshend and Tim Buckley. Tug of War: Civil Strife is presented at Chicago Shakespeare Theater for a limited run of only 14 performances, September 15–October 9, 2016. Photo Credit: Liz Lauren