Pontine Theatre to Present SHAKESPEARE'S WILL, 4/17-20

April 17-20, Pontine Theatre presents Shakespeare's Will performed by guest artist, Tannis Kowalchuk. The production is underwritten by Piscataqua Savings Bank. Anne Hathaway married William Shakespeare in 1582, raised their children, and buried her husband in 1616. The rest of their 32 years of marriage is one of literary history's great mysteries. This mystery provides a dark and comedic playground for this beautiful and lyrical solo performance piece written by Vern Thiessen. Performances are Thursday & Friday at 7:30pm, Saturday at 4pm and Sunday at 2pm. Tickets are $24 and may be purchased online at www.pontine.org. Tickets may also be purchased at the door and half-hour prior to performances (cash & check only) based on availability. Pontine's West End Studio Theatre is located at 959 Islington Street, Portsmouth NH. The building is not visible from the street, look for the big 959 on the signpost at the head of the drive. Information: www.pontine.org / info@pontine.org / 603-436-6660.m

Shakespeare's Will begins on the afternoon of Shakespeare's funeral. Anne knows she must read her husband's will, but before she does, the widow relives her life as mother, wife, and woman in 17th century Stratford-Upon-Avon. Basing the narrative upon the little information known about the Bard's wife, playwright, Vern Thiessen has written a sensitive and humorous text in verse, imagining and inventing the robust, earthy, and intelligent character of Anne Hathaway. Tannis Kowalchuk breathes rich, layered life into the character, who is funny, wise and burdened, as she regales the audience with her experience of being married to the world's most famous playwright.

NACL Theatre is a professional, not-for-profit company that has created over fifteen original and ensemble theatre productions since 1997. Founded by Tannis Kowalchuk and Brad Krumholz, NACL (North American Cultural Laboratory) operates a theatre space in Highland Lake, NY. The company creates and tours its own original and devised theatre performances, collaborates with an international circle of artists, and presents a performance season that features work by local and visiting artists. NACL offers artist residencies, professional development retreats, master classes, workshops, and early education drama classes.

Tannis Kowalchuk has toured to Canada, England, Italy, and Balkan Europe. She runs the NACL Theatre center and artist residence, curating The Deep Space Residency program, The Catskill Festival of New Theatre, and leads the theatre education classes at NACL. In 2008 she became a mother and began an organic vegetable and flower farm near NACL Theatre. Tannis is a graduate of The University of Winnipeg theatre department and was a core member of Primus Theatre, a prominent experimental theatre troupe based in Canada from 1990-97.

Serving the Seacoast since 1977, Pontine Theatre has developed a sterling reputation for high quality performances and educational programs. With an impressive repertoire of innovative, original productions, the company serves both its home town, Portsmouth, NH and New England and neighboring states. At Pontine's West End Studio Theatre, an at-home performance series showcases all of the company's premieres and the works of a national roster of guest artists. Pontine's 2013-14 Season culminates May 1 - 11 with a revival of the company's critically acclaimed The Isles of Shoals: Eternal Sound of the Sea featuring text drawn from the writings of Celia Thaxter and Nathaniel Hawthorne. Pontine's 2013-14 Season is supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts.