Born with Teeth 

By Liz Duffy Adams
Originally produced at Alley Theatre, Houston, TX
May 6 – June 5, 2022





An aging authoritarian ruler, a violent police state, a restless polarized people seething with paranoia: it’s a dangerous time for poets. Two of them—the great Kit Marlowe and the up-and-comer Will Shakespeare—meet in the back room of a pub to collaborate on a history play cycle, navigate the perils of art under a totalitarian regime, and flirt like young men with everything to lose. One of them may well be the death of the other. Developed in the Alley All New Reading Series.

Artistic Statement: Born with Teeth is a brilliant battle of wits between two of the most talented playwrights who ever lived: William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Playwright Liz Duffy Adams seizes on the recent discovery that Shakespeare and Marlowe were collaborators on Henry VI Parts 1, 2, and 3 and imagines what it would have been like to be in the room with the two writers, especially given the fact that, at this point in theater history, Christopher Marlowe was a shining star and William Shakespeare was only an up-and-comer. Marlowe was also deeply involved in the political intrigues of the day and tries to suck Shakespeare into his network of spies. It is a play full of verbal sparring and intrigue. - Rob Melrose, Artistic Director

Grant Statement: Liz Duffy Adams' new play, Born With Teeth, exemplifies the Alley Theatre’s commitment to cultivating new plays through all stages of the development process. This play was first developed as a reading in the Alley All New Reading Series and will have its world premiere on the Alley Theatre’s Neuhaus stage. The grant from the Edgerton Foundation will provide Liz, the play’s director Rob Melrose (Alley Artistic Director), and design team the time and resources necessary to collaborate and produce this enchanting play. - Dean R. Gladden, Managing Director



Director: Rob Melrose