Eds: APNewsNow; will be led.

AP Photo NYET997 NEW YORK (AP) Christopher Plummer has tackled such indelible and diverse roles as King Lear, Julius Caesar and John Barrymore at Canada's Stratford Shakespeare Festival.

Next up for the Tony-winning actor is Prospero, the magician at the center of "The Tempest," one of 12 productions planned for the 2010 season at the largest repertory theater in North America.

Stratford general director Antoni Cimolino (CHIM'-oh-lee-noh) says "The Tempest" will be joined by three other Shakespeare plays, "As You Like It," "The Winter's Tale" and "The Two Gentlemen of Verona," and three musicals, "Kiss Me, Kate," "Evita" and "Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris." Plummer won a best-actor Tony in 1997 for "Barrymore," a look at the famous American actor.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 08-26-09 1339CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list