Shakespeare Theatre Company - Harman Hall

Shakespeare Theatre Company

By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

The Bard of Avon may be the Shakespeare Theatre's "resident playwright," to use artistic director Michael Kahn's description, but it isn't all Shakespeare, all the time. Known as one of the best producers of Shakespeare's work in the country, and now boasting two stages, the company will open its season with Ben Jonson's "The Alchemist" (Oct. 6-Nov. 22), a timely play that Kahn describes as being "about how you can fool people who want to get rich." Why is the company so good at making the greatest works in the English language accessible to a mass audience? Kahn attributes that to recruiting the best talent from around the world -- onstage and behind the scenes -- and to the theater's longer-than-usual rehearsal periods and previews.

Where to eat? If you can get a table, Jaleo (202-628-7949; http://www.jaleo.com) makes wonderful tapas. If not, don't worry. There are a dozen restaurants nearby.

Concession-stand fare: A cut above: sandwiches and snacks; alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks.

Tickets: $20 to $82.

Getting there: The Lansburgh Theatre is a short walk from two Metro stations: Gallery Place and Archives. For Sidney Harman Hall, your best bet is Judiciary Square or Gallery Place. On-street parking is scarce. There are several parking garages nearby, but the PMI garage at Ninth and D streets offers a $6 rate to patrons with a ticket stub.

Season spotlight: "Richard II" (Feb. 2-April 11) and "Henry V" (Feb. 4-April 10) tell the timely story of two kings in times of national crisis and how they handle it.