Written by Bill Cain
Directed by David Esbjornson
Must close December 20!

“An experience no serious theatergoer will want to miss... one of the most BRACINGLY INTELLIGENT, SIZZLING theatrical American plays in a decade!”
- Bob Verini, Variety

“Cain should be congratulated for the BREATHTAKING BOLDNESS of his endeavor!” - Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times

“Besides its robust success as a good tale, Equivocation is A CELEBRATION OF THE STRANGELY CATHARTIC MAGIC OF THEATER!”
- Paul Hodgins, The Orange County Register

“A PASSIONATE and BOLDLY DESIGNED DRAMA!”
- Jay Reiner, The Hollywood Reporter

Join Shakespeare and his winsome troupe in this fantastic new tale that satiates Bard-loving purists and advocates of groundbreaking theater alike. The runaway hit of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and a sure-to-be classic, Equivocation pits the poetry of the world’s greatest playwright against the word of his King. Written in modern English with playful allusions to some of the Bard’s greatest works, Equivocation’s gripping narrative, keen humor and political intrigue culminate in what critics are calling “dazzling,” “a masterful work” and “the must-see play of the season.”

Featuring: Patrick J. Adams, Troian Bellisario, Harry Groener, Brian Henderson, Joe Spano and Connor Trinneer.

 Playwright's Notes  

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Performance Notes: Equivocation contains mature language and subject matter. Strobe effects and herbal cigarettes are also used. The estimated running time is 2:45 including one intermission.

Synopsis: During the reign of King James one of the most infamous plots against the establishment failed on November 5th, now known as Guy Fawkes Day.  In an attempt to publicize the failure of the traitors and more importantly, to entrap them, King James’ emissary, Cecil, is charged with hiring the greatest playwright of the day to tell the story and in doing so, solidify the guilt of those involved.  Hesitant to participate in what is clearly propaganda for the crown, Shakespeare agrees to take on the challenge.  His troupe of players, currently rehearsing King Lear, is desperate for a play that doesn’t include nudity and lengthy passages of gibberish, so they happily agree.  Once they are all engaged, it becomes clear that the story they have been commissioned to tell is far from the truth.  The crown is in a full fledged witch hunt involving Jesuit priests and as the executions begin, Shakespeare and his players are trapped between what they have been asked to do and the truth.

Equivocation is a cautionary tale about the power of the few outweighing the good sense of the many.  In a time when transparency has become a privilege as opposed to a right, Bill Cain’s political drama explores the role of the individual on the world stage, and how art and politics intersect to tell an amalgamated version of what has transpired.  Cain’s choice to dramatize Shakespeare and his players further enriches this play by giving us glimpses of a theatrical world that enthralls us all, the time in which the greatest plays in the English language were created.

Equivocation is a 2008 recipient of the Edgerton Foundation New American Play Award.