Will on the Hill

Will on the Hill pays tribute to the unique dynamic of our city and provides a wonderful way to engage new audiences and support Shakespeare Theatre Company’s artistic, education and community outreach programs.

“Each spring, members of Congress and the media are invited to show off their acting skills (or lack thereof). To play or not to play, that is the question.”
–NBC Washington

“I would suggest putting “Will on The Hill” on your calendar for next May if you want to enjoy a fun night in the theater, see members of Congress act silly intentionally, and help bring Shakespeare to the young people of greater Washington.”
–Washington Blade

2018 Cast

The Will on the Hill cast of 2018 was anchored by Ken Clark and Heath Saunders from Broadway’s Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 and STC favorite Victoria Frings (The School for Lies). The original script My Kingdom for a Farce was written by Michael Trottier, with assistance from West Wing Writers, and directed by Craig Baldwin. Additional cast members included  Senator Chris Coons (D-DE), Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Grover Norquist (Americans for Tax Reform), Dana Bash (Chief Political Correspondent, CNN) and U.S. Representatives including Reps. Darrell Issa (R-CA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) among others.

2017 Cast

The Will on the Hill cast of 2017 was anchored by Tony-nominated actor Santino Fontana (Cinderella, Frozen), Maulik Pancholy (30 Rock, Weeds), Ian Kahn (TURN: Washington’s Spies) and D.C.-native Emily Swallow (The Mentalist). The original script Met by Moonlight was written by Peter Byrne, with assistance from West Wing Writers, and directed by Alan Paul. 40 lawmakers and notable Washington influencers performed, including U.S. Secretary of the Interior The Honorable Ryan Zinke, Senator Chris Coons, The Honorable Kim Darroch (British Ambassador to the United States), Grover Norquist (Americans for Tax Reform) and many U.S. Representatives including Reps. George Holding, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Gerry Connolly and Daniel M. Donovan.

2016 Cast

The Will on the Hill cast of 2016 was anchored by Emmy Award Winning Actor Reg E. Cathey (House of Cards) and DC favorites Tom Story and Felicia Curry. “Heavy Lies the Head,” written by Peter Byrne and directed by Alan Paul, the cast was rounded out by Senator Chris Coons, The Honorable Kim Darroch (British Ambassador to the United States), Grover Norquist (Americans for Tax Reform) and Michael Steele (MSNBC)and nearly twenty U.S. Representatives including Reps. Jim McDermott, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Michael Turner and Ann Wagner.

2015 Cast

The Will on the Hill cast of 2015 was anchored by Helen Hayes Award Winning STC Affiliated Artist Edward Gero (Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2), Samira Wiley (Orange is the New Black), and Tony Award® Nominee Brandon Uranowitz (An American in Paris) “Midsummer Madness,” written by Peter Byrne and directed by Alan Paul, the cast was rounded out by Senators Patrick Leahy and Chris Coons, NPR’s Robert Siegel, The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank, The Weekly Standard’s Kelly Jane Torrance and nearly twenty U.S. Representatives including Reps. Gerry Connolly, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Elise Stefanik, Dina Titus and Ryan Zinke.

2014 Cast

The Will on the Hill cast of 2014 was anchored by Performing, Emmy and Golden Globe Award Nominee Harry Hamlin (Mad Men, L.A. Law), Tony Award® Nominee Hannah Yelland (Shakespeare Theatre Company’s The Winter’s Tale and Kneehigh’s Brief Encounter) and Nicholas Bruder (Macbeth in Punchdrunk’s Drama Desk Award® winning Sleep No More). “Lend Me Your Ears,” written by Peter Byrne and directed by Alan Paul, the cast was rounded out by Senator Roger Wicker, the Honourable Ian Liddell-Grainger MP, The Washington Post’s Dana Milbank, The Weekly Standard’s Kelly Jane Torrance and nearly twenty U.S. Representatives including Reps. Donna Edwards, Michael Grimm, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Jim Moran and Tom Rice.

2013 Cast

The Will on the Hill cast of 2013 was anchored by VEEP star Anna Chlumsky and STC regular, Todd Scofield. Performing, “Toil and Trouble,” written by Peter Byrne and directed by Alan Paul, the cast was rounded out by Senator Susan Collins, Senator Patrick Leahy, Senator Roger Wicker and 18 members of the House of Representatives. Additionally, media personalities such as Chris Matthews (Hardball with Chris Matthews) and Rita Braver (CBS Evening News) participated in the event.

2012 Cast

Members of Congress and friends of the theatre celebrated Will on the Hill’s 10th Anniversary by starring in Will on the Hill 2012, titled “Speak the Speech, I Pray You!” written by Peter Byrne and directed by Alan Paul. Special guest stars included Emmy Award winner Richard Schiff, from hit TV drama “The West Wing” and STC Affiliated Artist Veanne Cox. The cast also included Senator Roger Wicker and 17 representatives including Michael Grimm, Chaka Fattah, Peter Roskam and Eleanor Holmes Norton.

2011 Cast

The 2011 Will on the Hill featured Private Practice actor Tim Daly, Tony-nominated actor Euan Morton and more than 15 members of Congress—including Donna Edwards, Bob Goodlatte, Patrick Leahy, Sue Myrick and Roger Wicker—in “The World’s a Stage,” written by Peter Byrne. The 2011 event also marked the first time that a member of British Parliament, The Honourable Ian Liddell-Grainger, participated in the event.

2010 Cast

Senator Roger Wicker took on the role of the President in Will on the Hill 2010, titled “The Play’s the Thing!,” again written by Peter Byrne and directed by David Muse. Special guest stars included Peter Jacobson, from the hit TV drama “House” and well-known DC actress Holly Twyford. The cast also included Senator Richard Lugar and 13 Representatives including Mike McIntyre, Donna Edwards, Jesse Jackson Jr, and Chellie Pingree.

2009 Cast

Featuring media notables Jessica Yellin (CNN), Chuck Todd (NBC), Gordon Peterson (WJLA), and Hugo Gurdon (The Hill Newspaper), Will on the Hill 2009, titled “A Midsession Night’s Dream,” was written by Peter Byrne and directed by David Muse. The cast also starred Senator Roger Wicker and 14 Representatives including Wm. Lacy Clay, Jared Polis, Luis Gutierrez, Ed Perlmutter and more!

2008 Cast

“A Comedy of Capitol Errors” written by Peter Byrne and directed by Ethan McSweeny in 2008 featured Senator Patrick Leahy and 10 representatives, including Linda and Loretta Sanchez who starred as long-lost twins, in this adaptation of the Bard’s The Comedy of Errors.

2007 Cast

2007 brought “What’s in a Name” written by Norman Allen for Will on the Hill. The evening hosted 26 cast members including Senator Robert Bennett, 12 Representatives and members of the Washington media.

2006 Cast

In 2006 Will on the Hill featured eight Members of Congress including Edward Markey, Jane Harman, and Eleanor Holmes Norton, in an original script entitled “Much Ado about Washington,” written by Ken Ludwig.

2005 Cast

Will on the Hill debuted in its current format in 2005 with the original skit “Lessons from Shakespeare on How to Make it in Washington” written by Ken and Carol Adelman. It starred Congressmen Ken Calvert, Cliff Stearns, Robert Livingston and Theodore Olson as well as Sam Donalson, Kathleen & Chris Matthews, George Stephanopoulos, and Steve & Cokie Roberts, to name a few.

2004 Cast

Congressional Night 2004 centered on STC’s production of Henry IV, Part 1 and featured nearly 200 Members of Congress as members of the Honorary Committee. The evening also recognized Senator Robert Byrd for his contribution in promoting an appreciation for classical literature through his distinctive use of Shakespeare when addressing the public. Although they weren’t yet appearing on stage, the evening was hosted by eight Senators and eight Representatives, including Edward Kennedy, Ted Stevens, Nancy Pelosi, and Jerry Lewis.

2003 Cast

Similar to 2002, the 2003 Congressional Night at STC invited Members of Congress to attend a special performance of Ben Jonson’s The Silent Woman. The evening was hosted by Senators Paul Sarbanes and Richard Shelby and Representatives Barney Frank and James Walsh. The evening was a complete sell-out, filled with Members of Congress, their staffs and Congressional Night sponsors.

2002 Cast

Originally dubbed “Congressional Night,” the soon-to-be-called Will on the Hill was hosted by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and Joe Lieberman as well as Representatives Mike Oxley and Nancy Pelosi. Members of Congress and Washington VIPs attended a dedicated Capitol Hill performance of the Theatre’s mainstage production of Romeo and Juliet. The evening raised funds in support of STC’s education and community outreach programs like the Free For All, ShakesPEERS, and Text Alive!. Will on the Hill continues this mission today!