This fall, Christopher Prentice is returning to The Shakespeare Project of Chicago and All’s Well That Ends Well, when he appears as Lafew in the company’s theatrical reading production.

As a reward for curing the King’s ailments, Helena, a resourceful young woman, is married to the man of her dreams — Bertram, a guy who is her social superior and won’t let her forget it. When Bertram flees the match to join a war, and in the process tries to seduce another, Helena must use all her faculties to drag her wayward spouse back in line, salvage her marriage, and see if that which ends well really is all well.

For the SPC presentation directed by Michelle Shupe, Chris plays the fiery lord Lafew, friend of the King and confronter of braggarts, opposite Judy Blue as the Countess, Richard Shavzin as Parolles, Peter Garino as the King, and Allison Sokolowski as Helena. The cast also includes Zach Bloomfield, Olivia Fergus Brummer, Gary Henderson, Reed Hickerson, Jenny Hoppes, Julie Partyka, and Kevin Woodrow. Hannah Freund and Danny Tramontana are the understudies.

The production features original music and sound design by George Zahora. Katie Moshier is the stage manager and Sara B.T. Thiel is the dramaturg.

This theatrical reading is Chris’s fourth production of All’s Well. He last appeared in the play as the King of France and Lavatch in Joel Jahnke’s 2008 production for Montana Shakespeare in the Parks. In 2005, he played Lafew in Jeff Harnish’s staging for the Velvet Willies. He also understudied several roles in William Brown’s 2001 production at American Players Theatre.

All’s Well That Ends Well tours to five Chicago-area venues Oct. 24-27 and Nov 1.

Visit shakespeareprojectchicago.org for more info and to reserve seats.

Image courtesy The Shakespeare Project of Chicago