McKellen Is King of All He Surveys

Sir Ian McKellen is known for much more than his bravura appearances in the Lord of the Rings and X-Men series, which made him a nerd icon.

He's universally acknowledged as one of the greatest living interpreters of Shakespeare, and American audiences soon will get the opportunity to see him tackle two extraordinary pieces of theater, including one of the Bard's greatest roles.

This fall, following a tour of the United Kingdom, McKellen will travel to New York, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis performing both Shakespeare's King Lear and Chekhov's The Seagull in repertory.

Romeo does not exaggerate when he suggests that those not lucky enough to live in a city where McKellen is coming should consider traveling there for the occasion.