Coriolanus: Relevant but nonpartisan

Bill Friskics-Warren previews the Nashville Shakespeare Festival's Coriolanus in today's Tennessean.

As celebrity and war hero, Coriolanus hits images in the current presidential campaign. According to artistic director Denice Hicks, "The contemporary relevance of the play is undeniable," said Hicks. "Coriolanus is a celebrity who the people insist on becoming a role model/politician." She goes on to say:

"We haven't taken this play and said, 'Look how great our Republicans are' or 'Look how great our Democrats are,' " she said. "Between McCain and Obama, we have a war hero and an outsider/newcomer. You see those qualities in Coriolanus, as well. He has to show his 27 war wounds to the people before they'll elect him."

The Nashville Shakespeare Festival

in collaboration with Naked Stages

presents

CORIOLANUS

August 14 - September 7, 2008

FREE & Open to the Public

Suggested Donation: $5

(click for more info)

TEP endorses Coriolanus

Last night the Nashville Shakespeare Festival held a house party at the home of Jon Glassmeyer featuring a "satellite uplink" with the candidate Coriolanus...who is running for consul, of course. One of Shakespeare's most political of plays, Coriolanus is being marketed creatively during this election season with yard signs and bumper stickers.

Coriolanus wasn't the only candidate with a presence that night. Mike Stewart, who is running for the Tennessee House 52nd District seat, also made an appearance.