Know Theatre of Cincinnati to Present THE HUNCHBACK OF SEVILLE

The year is 1504. It's a freakishly cold day in Spain, and the hunchbacked, adopted sister of the dying queen Isabella has to use her formidable intellect to contend with colonial genocide, a forbidden lover, a hellion of an heir, and the mess that is politics in a changing world. An irreverent comedy that turns historical atrocities on their heads in a Tarantino-esque romp, it's a collaboration that brings CCM drama students to Know Theatre's stage for a twisted history you never learned in school.

Know Theatre continues its 18th season ("We're Adults Now!") by heading back to college and joining forces with UC's College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) for the regional premiere of The Hunchback of Seville, a play that will make you think about and laugh at 16th Century Spanish monarchical politics and European colonialism like never before...especially if you never have at all (honestly, we hadn't either.)

This production marks CCM Associate Professor of Drama and Hunchback director Brant Russell's Know Theatre debut, along with the Know debut of 8 CCM Drama students. About playwright Charise Castro Smith, Russell says,

"[She] artfully weaves history and anachronism. The subtle variances of tone, the frequently less-subtle humor, and the savoring of the language all speak to me. In terms of content, this play is very much about anyone who's ever been marginalized. This is the story of a woman who is denied so many privileges that others enjoy because she was born in a body different from those around her. And ultimately it's a story about privilege, ethics, power, and the way we tell the story of our shared history."

Adds Know Artistic Director Andrew Hungerford, about the co-production aspect,

"We're thrilled to enter into this partnership with CCM, the school where 50% of Know's full time staff received our training. It's a great way for us to reconnect with our alma mater, to offer students a chance to step outside of academia and into small professional theatre, and to continue to build connections across Cincinnati's artistic scene. We're so excited to get to play with this cast, this creative team, and this great script."

CCM senior Colleen Ladrick plays the titular role of Maxima Terriblé Segunda, The Hunchback of Seville, a brilliant, agoraphobic atheist faced with some difficult decisions. Joining Colleen on stage are fellow CCM students Sydney Ashe, Rachel Baumgarten, Andrew Iannacci, Julia Netzer, Meg Olsen, Alice Skok, and Emily Walton. Rounding out the cast are another Know newcomer, Brandon St. Clair Saunders, an ensemble member of Strawdog Theatre Company in Chicago who just finished his sixth summer season with the Michigan Shakespeare Festival, and Derek Snow, who has appeared on numerous stages across the city for over 20 years, including Know Theatre, Performance Gallery, and Falcon Theatre.

Opening October 9th, The Hunchback of Seville reimagines history in the irreverent style you've come to expect at Know Theatre, Cincinnati's Theatrical Playground. Come in and play!

Cast

Sydney Ashe as 1

Rachel Baumgarten as HRH, Queen Isabella of Spain

Andrew Iannacci as Christopher Columbus/Deputy Governor

Brandon St. Clair Saunders as Talib Furozh

Colleen Ladrick as Maxima Terriblé Segunda (The Hunchback)

Julia Netzer as Innocenzia

Meg Olsen as 2

Alice Skok as Espanta

Derek Snow as Abdul Haseem

Emily Walton as Infanta Juana

Production Team

Director - Brant Russell

Stage Manager - Andi Radujkovic

Scenic & Lighting Design - Andrew Hungerford

Costume Design - Noelle Wedig

Sound Design - Jason Sebastian

Scenic Charge, Associate Scenic Designer - Sarah Beth Hall

Technical Director - Nick Koehlke

Fight Choreographer - K. Jenny Jones