Paltrow to Reunite With Shakespeare Onstage

March 29, 1999
http://mrshowbiz.go.com/news/Todays_Stories/990329/paltrowfest032999.html


Armed with an accent only the most diehard Anglophile (or embittered
critic) could find fault with, Gwyneth Paltrow is looking to replicate
her Shakespearean success. This time, according to the Hollywood
Reporter, she'll do so onstage.

This summer, Paltrow plans to participate in the Williamstown Theatre
Festival's production of As You Like It. Paltrow will play leading
lady (natch) Rosalind, who disguises herself as a young man (natch)
named Ganymede to pursue an exiled nobleman named Orlando.

Paltrow's relationship with the Bard culminated with a Best Actress
Oscar for Shakespeare in Love, but that may not be the only reason
she's eyeing the Williamstown stage — she made her debut there,
acting in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Also, mama Blythe
Danner — currently seen in Forces of Nature — has been a member of
the festival troupe for 22 seasons.

Gwyneth herself will return to the big screen this fall in The
Talented Mr. Ripley, which pairs her with Best Actress nominee Cate
Blanchett (Elizabeth) and fellow Oscar winner Matt Damon (Good Will
Hunting). Shakespeare studio Miramax is also developing the lead role
for her in The Passion, bargaining that the combination of Paltrow and
a period piece love story between a cook, a lesbian, and the other
woman will lead to box office success.

The Reporter says that another Hollywood honey who is in talks with
the Massachusetts-based festival is Ethan Hawke. Last seen in Great
Expectations with Ms. Paltrow and with such films as Hamlet on his
1999 roster, Hawke would star in Tennessee Williams' Camino Real at
the festival.

Reps for the 10-week festival could not be reached for confirmation
of Paltrow's involvement, the Reporter says.