Actors' Shakespeare Project Announces 2017 - 18 Season 'The Downfall of the Despots'

Actors' Shakespeare Project (ASP), under the leadership of Acting Co-Artistic Directors Maurice Emmanuel Parent and Paula Plum, Executive Producer Kim Dawson, and Director of Education Programs, Projects, and Partnerships Mara Sidmore announce their 2017-18 season. ASP's 14th season includes Ionesco's Exit the King, Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, and Richard III, a roster of plays that resonate with our times and highlight unsettling aspects of human nature. This season will intensively explore the theme "The Downfall of Despots." In each of these productions, ASP will strive to examine what it means to face the crisis of dictatorship, the prospect of national ruin, and the ultimate destruction of a narcissistic ruler at the core of each story. Much Ado About Nothing provides a lighter-hearted journey of love, yet also explores how cunning and mischief can unravel reputations and relationships. Early bird subscriptions are on sale and single tickets will go on sale this summer. For more information visit actorsshakespeareproject.org.

EXIT THE KING by Eugene Ionesco
SEPTEMBER 13 - OCTOBER 8, 2017
Venue to be revealed!
Directed by Dmitry Troyanovsky*
A hilarious and poignant comedy about a megalomaniacal ruler, King Berenger, whose incompetence has left his country in near ruin. Despite the efforts of his two queens and the other members of the court to convince the King he has only 90 minutes left to live, he refuses to relinquish any control.

JULIUS CAESAR by William Shakespeare
NOVEMBER 15 - DECEMBER 17, 2017
Venue to be revealed!
directed by Bryn Boice
Shakespeare's epic political tragedy, dramatizing the downfall of an arrogant and narcissistic ruler bent on turning the republic into a dictatorship. Set in a futuristic parallel universe where women are in power, the race to claim the empire spirals out of control in this all-female production.

RICHARD III by William Shakespeare
FEBRUARY 7 - MARCH 11, 2018
Venue to be revealed!
directed by Robert Walsh*
The Tragedy of Richard III is the story of a scoundrel's Machiavellian overthrow of the government, filled with deceit, lies, treachery and murder. Richard III is Shakespeare's most charismatic villain, delighting in every moment of his ruthless homicidal path to absolute power.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING by William Shakespeare
APRIL 11 - MAY 6, 2018
Venue to be revealed!
directed by Benny Sato Ambush*

Benedick is never getting married. Not ever. And Beatrice can't imagine loving a man she can't tolerate! They might just be the perfect couple. While the villain Don Jon sows seeds of rumor and discord, the success of two noble marriages hinges on the hilarious efforts of local constables. Shakespeare's most oft-performed comedy is a joyous romp that sparkles with wit and romance.