Satirical Drama “Archduke” Brings Award-Winning Artists to Capital Repertory Theatre This March

ALBANY (March 3) — Capital Repertory Theatre continues its acclaimed 2025-26 season with the regional premiere of “Archduke,” the audacious and sharply funny play by Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph. Running March 6-29, this inventive dark comedy pulls audiences into the chaotic, unpredictable world that sparked World War I. This audaciously theatrical production comes to theREP directly from Philadelphia’s Wilma Theater, winner of the 2024 Regional Theatre Tony Award.

“Archduke” re-imagines the recruitment of the young men who assassinate Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Serbia in 1914 and unwittingly spark a global catastrophe. Diagnosed with tuberculosis and desperate to give their short lives meaning, the teenaged boys are radicalized by a nationalist extremist who encourages the boys to blame their misfortunes on evil foreigners. The play follows them to the brink of global disaster but ends on a precarious note of hope.

The Philadelphia Inquirer says “The play walks an entertaining line between fact and fiction, depicting the schooling of the assassination team – three young urchins trained to do the deed. But does the play pretend they did not?”

The cast of “Archduke” features a dynamic ensemble of performers from the Wilma Theater’s HotHouse Company and beyond. Melanye Finister (Sladjana), a seasoned performer with extensive credits at Wilma and People’s Light, has been honored with multiple Barrymore Awards and trained at Carnegie Mellon. Sarah Glicko (Nedeljko) is an actor/musician and founding member of the Tony Award–winning HotHouse Resident Acting Company, with numerous regional credits and Barrymore wins to her name.

Suli Holum (Gavrilo) is bringing award‑winning stage work and a rich background in devised performance and teaching; her credits span Off‑Broadway, international stages, and acclaimed solo work. James Konicek (Apis) has appeared at The Goodman, Chicago Shakespeare, The Shakespeare Project, and major regional theaters, and works as a voice actor and creative director for full cast audio productions. Brandon Pierce’s (Trifko) Broadway (Birthday Candles), Off‑Broadway (Exit Strategy), and regional credits reflect a versatile career across classic and contemporary work.

Directed by Blanka Zizka, recipient of the Zelda Fichandler award for directing and the Vilcek Prize honoring immigrants’ contributions to American culture., Matt Saunders is the set designer, Thom Weaver is the lighting designer, Vasilija Zvanic is the costume designer, Yaim Chong Chia is the sound designer, Jorge Cousineau is the projection designer, and Michael Long is the assistant projection designer. Kate Kern is the production stage manager, and Madison Rivera is the assistant stage manager.

Previews for “Archduke” are March 6-8, and opening night is Tuesday, March 10. Performances are scheduled Tuesdays through Thursdays at 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m. There is also a 1:30 p.m. performance Wednesday, March 18.

“Archduke” promises a striking blend of comedy, history, and drama — a production that dares audiences to reconsider how the smallest decisions can alter the fate of millions. For tickets and information, call the Box Office at Proctors 12-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday at (518) 346-6204, or visit attherep.org. The 2025-26 season at theREP is sponsored by Overit. Groups of 10 or more can call (518) 382-3884, ext. 139.

###

Special nights:

Opening Night — Tuesday, March 10
Includes complimentary pre-show champagne toast and pastries from Bella Napoli.

Post-show Panel: Acting in the Capital Region and Beyond – 4 p.m. Sunday, March 15
A discussion with the cast and local acting instructors, moderated by News10’s Giuliana Bruno.

Chef’s Table — 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17
Hors d’oeuvres will be provided by a local restaurant.

ASL Performance — 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21
This performance features sign language interpreters. To request access to the designated seating section, please call the Box Office at (518) 346-6204.

Thirsty Thursday — 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26
Enjoy tasting samples from local cideries, breweries, or wineries.

Behind the Scenes — 1 p.m. Sunday, March 29
12:30 p.m., complimentary coffee and pastry from Cider Belly Donuts before the pre-show presentation of the special effects behind “Archduke” hosted by Producing Artistic Director Miriam Weisfeld. This special conversation is free and open to the public.

About the Wilma Theater
Established in 1979, the Wilma Theater (265 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19107), recipient of the 2024 Tony Award for Best Regional Theatre, is a non-profit theater company creating living, adventurous art, engaging artists and audiences in imaginative reflections on the complexities of contemporary life. The theater presents bold, original productions representing a range of voices, viewpoints, and styles in order to develop the form and push existing conventions. Many of the roles in the Wilma’s productions are cast from its acclaimed, award-winning resident artists, the HotHouse Company, who meet weekly to train, read plays, and develop their artistry. The organization is currently led by a creative cohort of three co-artistic directors, Morgan Green, Lindsay Smiling, and Yury Urnov, and Managing Director Leigh Goldenberg. In 2024, the Wilma became the first Pennsylvania theater company to receive the Tony Award for Best Regional Theatre. Learn more about The Wilma Theater and purchase tickets wilmatheater.org.