New York City
Rome is in a mutinous mood. Its citizens are protesting about their rulers’ incompetence and
the shortage of food. Against this turbulent backdrop, emerges Coriolanus, an arrogant and
fiery young general, unparalleled on the battlefield. After a stunning victory against
neighboring Volscian forces, Rome’s people enthusiastically thrust him into the political arena only to find that the same qualities emboldening him on the battlefield make him entirely ill suited to govern. Displaying his contempt for Rome’s people and the title they have placed upon him, Coriolanus finds himself banished from his home city. Bent on revenge, the
general aligns himself with his old Volscian enemies and marches back to Rome, intent to
burn the city to ashes. With themes that seemed ripped from today’s headlines, William
Shakespeare’s Coriolanus is a thrilling and poignant tale exploring the essence of
democracy, the struggles of balancing personal and political loyalty and the relationship
between governors and their people.