Chautauqua Theater Company Ends 2012 Season with Jazz-Infused AS YOU LIKE IT, 8/10-17

Chautauqua Theater Company's Artistic Director Vivienne Benesch has announced the final production of CTC's 29th season: Shakespeare's glorious As You Like It. Director Jackson Gay (3C, Rattlestick; A Little Journey, 2012 Drama Desk Nomination, The Mint) makes her CTC debut with a 1930's swing era slant on Shakespeare's funniest and most frolicsome play. Composer Justin Ellington (Other Desert Cities, Lincoln Center; 2010 Grammy Award Winner) infuses the festivities with a bubbling score performed live by the sixteen member cast.

Dancing, romance, hope, renewal, the enduring human spirit and love, lots and lots of love take center stage for ten performances of As You Like It in the Bratton Theater from August 10 to 17. According to many people who lived through the Depression-you can't be sad and dance at the same time. Nor can you listen to Shakespeare's perfect verses and not be transported.

The cast features the talents of the best and brightest stars of tomorrow. CTC's incomparable conservatory company includes Sepideh Moafi from UC Irvine as Rosalind, Leicester Landon from the Trinity Brown MFA program as Orlando, Jessica Savage from Juilliard as a Marlene Deitrich styled Jaques and Dave Quay from NYU's Graduate Acting Program as Touchstone. They are joined by guest artists Andrew Weems (Broadway's Born Yesterday, The Green Bird, London Assurance) as both Duke Frederick and Duke Senior and John Seidman (Eva LeGallienne's revival of Alice in Wonderland) as Old Adam and Corin. Other Conservatory cast members include: Max Woertendyke (Oliver), York Walker (Silvius), Stephen Spencer (Charles/William/), Sathya Sridharan (Le Beau/Jaques De Boys), Kelsey Didion (Phoebe), Carolyn Holding (Audrey), Leah Anderson (Hymen), and Max Roll (Amiens).

The design team includes Chautauqua favorite Lee Savage (Scenic Design) and newcomers Oana Botez (Costume Design), Paul Whitaker (Lighting Design) and the previously mentioned Justin Ellington (Sound Design/Composer).

Performed at Chautauqua Institution's Bratton Theater, As You Like It runs from August 10 through August 17. Join CTC for what promises to be the romp of the summer season.

Patrons seeking further information about As You Like It or other CTC programming are encouraged to visit our website: CTCompany.org. The site also provides useful links to information about other events at the Institution.

Now in its 29th season, the Chautauqua Theater Company is the resident professional theater and Conservatory of the Chautauqua Institution. Internationally known actors, directors, designers and writers join 19 emerging artists drawn from the nation's top training programs to form a unique company that produces a vibrant summer of work in the historic Bratton Theater. Dedicated to the next generation of theater artists, the development of new work, first rate productions of modern and contemporary classics and fresh insight into Shakespeare's canon, this "full service" company provides the best a year-round regional theater has to offer over an eight week summer season.

As You Like It by William Shakespeare (August 10 - August 17) plays according to the following schedule:

Friday 8/10: 8 p.m.
Saturday 8/11: 6 p.m.
Sunday 8/12: 2:15 & 8 p.m.
Tuesday 8/14: 2:15 & 8 p.m.
Wednesday 8/15: 2:15 & 8 p.m.
Thursday 8/16: 4 p.m.
Friday 8/17: 4 p.m.

Tickets: $30. Call (716) 357-6250 or go online at www.CTCompany.org. All performances in Bratton Theater on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution. CTC ticket buyers may enjoy the Chautauqua Institution grounds at no additional charge from noon to 8:00 pm with a matinee ticket or from 4:00 pm to midnight with an evening ticket.