Tony-nominated Cost of Living star Katy Sullivan takes on the title role of Shakespeare's Richard III for Chicago Shakespeare Theater beginning February 2, with performances set to continue at the company's Courtyard Theater through March 3. Sullivan's casting makes the production the first major U.S. staging to feature a woman with a disability in the title role. CST Artistic Director Edward Hall is at the helm.

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,” said Hall in an earlier 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 is 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; E.M. Davis as Bishop of Ely, Tyrell, and Princess Elizabeth; Yao Dogbe as Buckingham; Sean Fortunato as Lord Rivers and the Dutchess of York; Erik Hellman as Lord Hastings and the Duke of Norfolk; Jaeda LaVonne as Lady Anne; Libya V. Pugh as Margaret; Mo Shipley as Edward; Demetrios Troy as King Edward IV and the Earl of Richmond; and Jessica Dean Turner as Elizabeth. Rounding out the company are understudies Jack Doherty, Jodi Gage, Jeff Kurysz, Keenan Odenkirk, Patrick Tombs, and Lauren Winder. 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 is production stage manager with Michael George is assistant stage manager.

Visit ChicagoShakes.com.