Spoleto Festival USA proudly presents a special table read of The Duchy, a bold new play by Denis O’Hare. Set in a divided near-future America, this sharp, provocative story imagines a time where the Red States and the Blue States have separated, leaving a tiny island of neutrality called the “Duchy” (formerly Las Vegas) in a wild and tenuous position. Featuring a cast of secret cyborgs, teleportation, full-body character morphing and a world driven by AI magic, this story focuses on a pair of security guards from opposite ends of the political spectrum.  On one intense weekend, the inhabitants of the Duchy try to host a rare event: a true debate.  But the pressure of a rapidly intensifying political crisis makes this a dangerous proposal. With the colliding energy of sci-fi and satire, The Duchy explores the impossible fantasy of ideological debate, the danger of division, and the tantalizing dream of connection. 

A table read is rehearsed reading, where actors perform the script aloud without sets, costumes, or technical effects, allowing audiences to hear the story in its earliest form. Experience the humor, tension, and inventive storytelling of this reading before the play receives its fully staged premiere at a future Spoleto Festival USA. Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity to get a first look at a daring new work from an acclaimed creator. 

Join Denis O’Hare and director Lisa Peterson for a talkback immediately following this table read. 

Content Advisory: This work contains themes related to political polarization

Created by Denis O’Hare
Directed by Lisa Peterson

Cast forthcoming

Denis O’Hare
Denis O’Hare appeared at the Spoleto Festival in the 2023 season in “An Iliad” a work that he and Lisa Peterson created together. Their play, “Song of Rome” played at Spoleto in 2024. Lisa and Denis also wrote, “The Good Book” together in 2015. As an stage actor Denis has performed all over the world. Highlights include: “Here We Are” and “Tartuffe” at the National in London; Helen, Silence, Cunning and Exile for The Public; Into the Woods for Shakespeare in the Park; and An Iliad (Obie and Lucille Lortel Awards) Cabaret, Assassins (Tony nomination),  Major Barbara, Sweet Charity  (Drama Desk Award), Take Me (Tony and Lucille Lortel Awards); and Racing Demon at Lincoln Center. TV includes Evil, 9 seasons of American Horror Story: (Emmy nominations), American Gods, Big Little Lies, The Good Fight, This is Us, True Blood and The Good Wife. Film includes The Parting Glass (also as writer), Swallow, Lizzie, C.O.G., Edgar Allen Poe: Buried Alive, The Proposal, Late Night, The Day Shall Come, Novitiate, Dallas Buyers Club (SAG nomination), Milk (SAG nomination), Changeling, Charlie Wilson’s War, Michael Clayton and 21 Grams.

Lisa Peterson
Lisa Peterson is a two-time Obie winning director and writer. She created and co-wrote An Iliad with Denis O’Hare. She also recently directed their third collaboration, The Song of Rome, at the Spoleto Festival. Prior to that, she directed their play about the creation of the bible, The Good Book, at the Court Theater in Chicago and at Berkeley Rep. Recently, Lisa directed Doug Wright’s Good Night, Oscar at the Goodman, on Broadway and the West End. In addition to many classic plays, Peterson has directed the premiere of new works by Donald Margulies, Tony Kushner, Beth Henley, Chay Yew, Luis Alfaro, and Naomi Wallace and others. She has worked at theaters including the New York Theatre Workshop, Vineyard Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Primary Stages, Mark Taper Forum, La Jolla Playhouse, Guthrie Theater, Seattle Rep, Arena Stage and many more.

Attendance at all events is subject to the Festival security policy.

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