Tony-nominated Cost of Living star Katy Sullivan will play the title role in Chicago Shakespeare Theater's upcoming production of Richard III. Sullivan's casting will make the production the first major U.S. staging to feature a woman with a disability in the title role.

Artistic Director Edward Hall is directing, with performances set to run February 2-March 3, 2024, in the company's Courtyard Theater.

Hall previously directed Sullivan in the U.K. premiere of Cost of Living. “Within the first week of working with Katy, I knew I wanted to explore Richard III with her,” says Hall in a statement. “She is an extraordinarily brilliant actress who is keen to get to the most vulnerable places in her characters."

The Shakespeare tragedy gives a somewhat apocryphal account of King Richard III; in Shakespeare's telling a cruel and power hungry leader is plagued by physical disabilities.

Sullivan will be joined in the cast by Scott Aiello as Clarence and Stanley, Debo Balogun as Ratcliffe, Mark Bedard as Murderer and Prince, Anatasha Blakely as Catesby, Yao Dogbe as Buckingham, Sean Fortunato as Lord Rivers and the Dutchess of York, Erik Hellman as Lord Hastings and the Duke of Norfolk, Tiffany Renee Johnson as Lady Anne, Ora Jones as Margaret, Mo Shipley as Edward, Demetrios Troy as King Edward IV and the Earl of Richmond, and Jessica Dean Turner as Elizabeth. Casting is by Bob Mason.

Hall's creative team includes composer and music director Jon Trenchard, scenic and costume designer Michael Pavelka, lighting designer Marcus Doshi, sound designer Pornchanok Kanchanabanca, accessibility consultant Aly Easton, intimacy director Sarah Scanlon, and fight choreographer Matt Hawkins. Jessica Forella will serve as production stage manager with Michael George as assistant stage manager.

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