Shakespeare Festival St. Louis Announces Jim Butz to Play Lead in HAMLET Opening May 26th

Butz to play Hamlet at Shakespeare Festival.

Jim Butz, Kevin Kline Award-winner, will play the doomed Prince of Denmark in Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' production of Hamlet, set to open May 26th in Shakespeare Glen, Forest Park. Butz, brother of Tony Award-winner Norbert Leo Butz, is a St. Louis native, and was previously seen at the Festival as Mark Antony in Julius Caesar. Bruce Longworth directs Shakespeare Festival St. Louis' 10th anniversary Shakespeare production, free to the public in Forest Park. Complete casting will be announced in early February.

"We couldn't be more excited that Jim is playing the title role this spring," said Rick Dildine, Executive Director. "Jim is a versatile actor whose background has prepared him to tackle one of the most challenging roles written for an actor to date."

Jim Butz has enjoyed working in New York and in regional theatres across the country. Credits include: The Odyssey (The Willow Cabin Theatre Company - Off-Broadway), Amadeus, Richard II, As You Like It, The Winter's Tale, Tartuffe, Twelfth Night (The Georgia Shakespeare Festival), Lobby Hero and A Number (The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis), Julius Caesar (Kevin Kline Award, Best Supporting Actor), Much Ado About Nothing, Richard III (Shakespeare Festival St. Louis), Biloxi Blues and A Christmas Carol (The GeVa Theatre), The Lion in Winter (Indiana Repertory Theatre), Romeo & Juliet & The Taming of the Shrew-Shakespeare Santa Fe. He graduated from Webster University in 2000.

"Jim Butz is an actor with incredible depth and experience," Bruce Longworth added. "He will bring great thought and passion to his portrayal of Hamlet."

The creative team includes Jim Burwinkel (set design), Dottie Marshall Englis (costume design), John Wylie (lighting design), Robin Weatherall (original music), Paul Dennhardt (fight choreography) and Ann Slayton (sound design)

Shakespeare Festival St. Louis produces professional Shakespeare theatre, outdoors in a city park, free and for a diverse audience, and provides education through schools and community outreach. Visit our website at www.shakespearefestivalstlouis.org.