A thrilling look at two giants of the Elizabethan stage. Born in the same year as Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe died at the age of 29, having revolutionized English dramatic poetry with his dark, exuberant and wildly theatrical plays. The rivalry between these two great poets and Marlowe’s influence on Shakespeare’s work are the subjects of this evening, which features readings from the works of both playwrights and commentary by one of the world’s greatest Shakespeare scholars, James Shapiro (1599, Rival Playwrights and the forthcoming Contested Will). Performers include Obie Award winning actor John Douglas Thompson (Othello, The Emperor Jones), Red Bull Theater veteran Matthew Rauch (The Revenger’s Tragedy, Edward II), and Christopher Evan Welch (Festen, The Crucible). Directed by Michael Sexton. Recorded November 9, 2009 at the Kaye Playhouse.