Jan Maxwell Joins Shakespeare Society/NYC Ballet Collaboration Event Held 6/8

The Shakespeare Society (Michael Sexton, Artistic Director) has announced that Dances with Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream, a collaboration with the New York City Ballet (NYCB), will take place on Monday, June 8, at 7:00pm at the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, East 68 Street, between Park and Lexington Avenues. All tickets $25. For single tickets call the Kaye Playhouse at (212) 772-4448. For information about The Shakespeare Society, membership and member tickets, call 212-967-6802 or visit www.shakespearesociety.org. The evening is made possible by the generous support of the Jerome Robbins Foundation.

Dances with Shakespeare: A Midsummer Night's Dream features an evening of live dance, theater, and commentary, featuring NYCB company members, including NYCB principal dancer Wendy Whelan in the role of Titania, actors Michael Cerveris (Assassins, Sweeney Todd),
Aunjanue Ellis (Joe Turner's Come and Gone), Carson Elrod (Reckless), Andre Holland (Joe Turner's Come and Gone), Jennifer Ikeda (Hamlet), Jan Maxwell (A Doll's House), and Benjamin Walker (Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson) and commentary by director Mark Lamos and Ms. Whelan.

Joining Ms. Whelan from NYCB for the event are Antonio Carmena (Oberon), Adam Hendrickson (Puck), Rebecca Krohn (Helena), Jennie Somogyi (Hermia), Jonathan Stafford (Lysander), Tyler Angle (Demetrius), and Henry Seth (Bottom).

Three sections from George Balanchine's 1962 adaptation of A Midsummer Night's Dream will be performed live by NYCB dancers, with corresponding scenes from the play also performed by the actors. NYCB dancers Whelan, Antonio Carmena, Adam Hendrickson, Rebecca Krohn, Jennie Somogyi, Jonathan Stafford, Tyler Angle and Henry Seth will perform, with Lamos and Whelan providing lively and insightful commentary, all combining to form a truly unique evening of theater.

The Shakespeare Society is a not-for-profit membership organization presenting entertaining and challenging programs that combine stage performances by outstanding actors with illuminating commentary by noted Shakespearean writers, scholars, and directors. A fundamental belief of the founders of The Shakespeare Society is that enjoying and understanding Shakespeare begin in the classroom; therefore, a portion of the Society's membership dollars is used to support educational activities in New York City's middle and high schools. The Shakespeare Society also offers residencies and workshops to directors and actors working on or developing Shakespeare projects. Past participants in Shakespeare Society performances and events include Harold Bloom, F. Murray Abraham, Stephen Greenblatt, Liev Schreiber, Lynn Redgrave, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Kathleen Chalfant, Michael Cumpsty, Jefferson Mays, Marcia Gay Harden, Patrick Stewart, Sir Peter Hall, Derek Jacobi, Philip Bosco, Marjorie Garber, Ralph Fiennes, Ron Rosenbaum, Richard Easton, John Guare, and Claire Bloom.

New York City Ballet is one of the foremost dance companies in the world, with an unparalleled active repertory of more than 150 works-most of them created for NYCB-many of which are considered modern masterpieces. The Company was established in 1948 by legendary choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. In 1949, Jerome Robbins joined the Company as associate artistic director and, with Balanchine and many guest choreographers, created a varied repertory that grew each season. Balanchine served as Ballet Master of NYCB from its inception until his death, in 1983, during which time he choreographed countless works and created a company of dancers known for their speed and musicality. In 1964 NYCB moved to its current home at Lincoln Center. Now under the direction of Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins, the Company has 100 dancers, a 62-member orchestra, an official school (the School of American Ballet) and an annual 23-week season in New York, the longest home season of any dance company in the world. Widely acknowledged for its enduring contributions to dance, NYCB is committed to promoting creative excellence and nurturing a new generation of dancers and choreographers. For more information visit www.nycballet.com

For Shakespeare Society membership information or information about any Shakespeare Society event, phone 212-967-6802 or go to www.shakespearesociety.org.