Pictured: Harry Hadden-Paton, James Frain, Rebecca Night, and Elizabeth Ledo. Photo courtesy of Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater has announced the cast and creative team for the North American premiere of “The King’s Speech,” written by David Seidler and based on the Academy Award-winning film of the same name.

Directed by Michael Wilson, the production features Harry Hadden-Paton as King George VI, James Frain as Lionel Logue, Rebecca Night as Elizabeth, Elizabeth Ledo as Myrtle Logue, Alan Mandell as Archbishop of Canterbury Cosmo Lang, Kevin Gudahl as Winston Churchill, Jeff Parker as King Edward VIII, John Judd as King George V, and David Lively as Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin.

The creative team includes Scenic Designer Kevin Depinet, Costume Designer David C. Woolard, Lighting Designer Howell Binkley, Projections Designer Hana Kim, Sound Designer John Gromada, and Chicago Shakespeare’s resident Wig and Make-up Designer Richard Jarvie. Hannah Wolff is the production’s Associate Director, Chris Blake is Dramaturg, and Kate DeVore serves as Dialect Coach.

Before Queen Elizabeth II, her father, King George VI, reigned—the younger son known by his family as “Bertie” with a chronic stammer, never expected to rule. But when his brother David abdicated the throne to wed American divorcée Wallis Simpson, the man who would become king had to rally a nation preparing for war. Enter an unconventional speech therapist named Lionel Logue, who would help the monarch find his voice.

“The King’s Speech” runs September 12 – October 20. Following the play’s North American premiere in Chicago, the production is slated for engagements at other theaters across the country. For more information visit chicagoshakes.com.