Veanne Cox, Richard Schiff Set for Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Will on the Hill Benefit

Emmy Award-winning actor Richard Schiff, best known for his role as Toby Ziegler on The West Wing, and Tony Award nominee Veanne Cox will be among the cast members who will participate in Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual Will on the Hill benefit, to be held in Sidney Harman Hall on Monday, May 7, beginning at 6:30pm.

The benefit will include a performance of Speak the Speech, I Pray You!, an original play by Peter Byrne with assistance from The West Wing Writers Group. It tells the tale of a director and stage manager tasked with corralling a cast of Washington luminaries for a benefit performance of Romeo and Juliet.

As in previous years, many Senators and members of Congress will be among the performers. Participants include Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Representatives Shelly Berkley (D-NV), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Susan Davis (D-CA), Theodore Deutch (D-FL), Donna Edwards (D-MD), Chaka Fattah (D-PA), Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Thomas Petri (R-WI), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jared Polis (D-CO), Peter Roskam (R-IL) and Peter Welch (D-VT).

In addition, STC welcomes an international government representative, The Honourable Ian Liddell-Granger MP (Member of Parliament for Bridgewater and West Somerset). Other illustrious cast members include Robin Bronk (CEO, Creative Coalition), Dr. Natwar Gandhi (CEO, District of Columbia), Major Garrett (Congressional Correspondent, National Journal), Rick Klein (ABC News’ Senior Washington Editor, World News with Diane Sawyer), William Kristol (Political Analyst, Founder and Editor, The Weekly Standard), Scott Simon (NPR’s Weekend Edition Saturday) and Susan Stamberg (Special Correspondent, NPR’s Morning Edition).

Proceeds from this event support STC’s many education, artistic and community engagement programs including in-school workshops and online learning resources that inspire new and diverse audiences and deepen the connection to classical theatre in learners of all ages.

Performance-only tickets to this popular annual event have already sold out, however patrons may enter their names on the wait list by calling the Box Office at 202-547-1122. A select number of VIP tickets are still available by emailing WillontheHill@ShakespeareTheatre.org.