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Patrick Page
Patrick Page

5 Questions with Patrick Page of All The Devils Are Here

Known for his commanding voice and most recently for his Tony Award-nominated turn as Hades in Hadestown, Patrick Page is back on stage this fall, bringing his solo piece All The Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented The Villain Off-Broadway. In the show, created and performed by Page, he shines a light on the villains written by Shakespeare, turning “his attention to the twisted motivation and hidden humanity at the heart of Shakespeare’s greatest villains.”

Patrick Page in All The Devils Are Here. Photo by Julieta Cervantes.
Patrick Page in All The Devils Are Here. Photo by Julieta Cervantes.

Page took some time with answer 5 Questions with Broadway Direct, sharing how his dad first introduced him to the works of Shakespeare, the theater favorite that inspires him, and his favorite spot in NYC currently.


1. What inspired you to become an actor?

My dad was an actor with the Oregon Shakespeare Festival when I was a child. He had the first lines in two of the plays one summer— Twelfth Night and The Merchant of Venice. Any kid who hears his dad say “If music be the food of love, play on!” And “In smooth, I know not why I am so sad” is gonna be hooked for life.

2. Who in your field inspires you?

Lin-Manuel Miranda inspires me through his astonishing talent as a writer, composer, and performer—but even more as a role model of kindness, service, and purposeful intention.

Patrick Page in All The Devils Are Here. Photo by Julieta Cervantes.
Patrick Page in All The Devils Are Here. Photo by Julieta Cervantes.

3. What will audiences be most excited about seeing in All The Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented The Villain?

Those with little experience with Shakespeare will be excited to find that they understand and love him when they see him performed in such an intimate setting by someone who has spent a lifetime learning to communicate the language.

Those with more experience will be excited by the individual performances (I hope), and the thrilling detective story of how Shakespeare invented the villain over the course of two decades. They may also find that they get to know themselves better through this journey.

4. If you didn’t need to sleep at night, what would you spend your time doing?

I would spend my time reading and writing. Can my wife stay up too? That would change the equation.

5. What is your favorite NYC spot?

My favorite NYC spot is center stage at the DR2 Theatre in Union Square.


You can catch Patrick Page in All The Devils Are Here: How Shakespeare Invented The Villain, now playing at the DR2 Theatre through January 7, 2024.