Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Announces 2012-2013 Season

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company announced its 2012-2013 season schedule. All productions will feature Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Resident Company of Artists. CSC's 19th season of bringing the classics to life in Cincinnati is generously sponsored by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Subscription packages went on sale February 1, 2012 Single tickets are now on sale.

Season 19 marks Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips' 10th anniversary. Doug Ignatius, the President of the CSC Board of Directors says "I am in awe of Brian Isaac Phillips' abilities as an artist and a leader. In the few years I have known him, his artistic vision has grown vastly in scope and breadth, achieving world class theater on a very modest budget. His effectiveness as the leader of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company has brought the company to the standard of artistic excellence it enjoys today." Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips says "It is amazing to take a look around and see what this organization has accomplished in the past decade. Being asked to serve in this capacity at a critical juncture during the early development of this organization was exciting and terrifying. Through the tireless dedication of the ensemble, administration, the board, loyal donors and the people of Cincinnati, I am proud of the strides we've made as a company." That list of accomplishments includes CSC joining Actors Equity Association as one of the few professional theatres in Cincinnati, doubling the operating budget allowing the company to experience a period of significant artistic growth while maintaining strict fiscal responsibility, establishing an endowment fund through the Greater Cincinnati Foundation to ensure CSC's stability in the future, renewing a deep commitment to education and outreach through robust touring and educational offerings and consistently planning an exciting line up of classics and Shakespeare leading to the imminent completion of the entire canon, truly making CSC Cincinnati's stage for the classics. "We have much to celebrate about where we've been, and we are also very excited and inspired about where we are going!"

The 2012-2013 season line up is as follows:

The Hound of the Baskervilles
By Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Adaptation by Steve Canny
July 20 - August 12, 2012
The legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his assistant Dr. Watson are on the job to investigate the mysterious case of the "hound of hell" that stalks the moors. This fast-paced farcical adaptation of the classic novel is performed by only three actors tackling dozens of roles. Physical humor and visual gags will make this production a laugh out loud treat this summer. Will the courageous detective and his men survive the mystery of Baskerville Hall…and each other? The game is afoot in the regional premiere of this exciting adaptation of "The Hound of the Baskervilles"!
Director: Brian Isaac Phillips
Featuring: Jeremy Dubin, Nick Rose and Brent Vimtrup
Production Design Sponsor: Johnson Investment Counsel

Harper Lee's
To Kill a Mockingbird
Adapted by Christopher Sergel
September 7-30, 2012
In 1932 Alabama, Atticus Finch challenges the conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy. This story is a powerful portrait of a south poisoned by prejudice and the one man with the courage to fight against an injustice, but like the novel from which it comes, is filled with warmth and humor. Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning classic "To Kill a Mockingbird", in an adaptation that has brought audiences to their feet on two continents, brings this story to life in a fresh and inspirational staging that you will never forget.
Director: Sara Clark
Featuring: Bruce Cromer, DarNell Benjamin and Torie Wiggins
Ensemble Sponsor: Taft Stettinius and Hollister

Romeo & Juliet
By William Shakespeare
October 12 - November 11, 2012
One of the most beloved romantic tragedies in Shakespeare's canon, "Romeo & Juliet" is the tale of Bard's star crossed lovers, brought to life in a modern world of passion and conflict. In defiance of their families, amidst the animosity of friends and in concealment from their mentors, a young couple will risk everything to be together. Receiving a contemporary staging, this production proves its continued relevance in the lives of young and old alike throughout the ages.
Director: Brian Isaac Phillips
Featuring: Sara Clark, Billy Chace, Annie Fitzpatrick, Sherman Fracher and Paul Riopelle
Production Sponsor: Rippe & Kingston

Titus Andronicus*
By William Shakespeare
October 20- November 11, 2012
One of the bloodiest plays in the canon, "Titus Andronicus" is full to the brim with revenge, murder, betrayal and crimes most atrocious. "Titus Andronicus" evokes startling, gruesome and tragic imagery as the mighty Roman general Titus faces off with his mortal enemy, Tamora, Queen of the Goths. Titus and Tamora, in a spiral of bloody revenge, trade murder for hideous murder, each more brutal than the last. Perfect for the Halloween season!
Director: Brian Isaac Phillips
Featuring: Nick Rose, DarNell Benjamin, Miranda McGee & Maggie Lou Rader

The Importance of Being Earnest
By Oscar Wilde
November 23- December 16, 2012
In a classic tale of romance and folly, two beautiful ladies are pursued by two dashing gentleman, but the gentlemen's brother and friend complicate matters- especially since they don't actually exist. One of the funniest comedies in the English language – "The Importance of Being Earnest" provides an examination of the hypocrisies and conventions of a so-called well-mannered society.
Director: Kelly Mengelkoch
Featuring: Jim Hopkins, Jeremy Dubin and Brent Vimtrup
Production Sponsor: LPK
Production Design Sponsor: Towne Properties

Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)*
By Michael Carleton, John K. Alvarez and James FitzGerald
December 16-30, 2012
This show condenses all of your Beloved Holiday Classics into one hilarious evening of theater. Whether you're a Grinch or a true believer, you'll howl with laughter as three actors (and a slightly tipsy Santa) send up everything from fruitcake to nutcrackers. Perfect for adults looking for a little extra holiday cheer! Back for a seventh straight year!
Director: Jeremy Dubin
Featuring: Sara Clark, Billy Chace, Justin McCombs and Miranda McGee
Production Sponsor: Graydon Head

Richard II
By William Shakespeare
January 11- February 3, 2013
"Richard II" is an epic tale of fading power that sheds a light on the deterioration of a kingdom and the isolation of power. King Richard exiles his noblemen while seizing their land to carry on his own wars. As dissent continues to grow, a fight for the true heart of England begins and one man's celestial right to rule is called into question creating the genesis of the "war of the roses". Don't miss as CSC kicks off its last chronological history cycle while presenting the penultimate story in our quest to Finis the Canon.
Director: Brian Isaac Phillips
Featuring: Brent Vimtrup, Giles Davies and Jim Hopkins
Production Sponsor: Charles Parsons and the Mercantile Library's Canon Club

Les Liaisons Dangereuses (Dangerous Liaisons)
By Christopher Hampton
February 15- March 10, 2013
In pre-Revolutionary France, two long time friends and occasional passionate lovers amuse themselves by orchestrating a plot of seduction for two young women of virtue. As their cynical game proceeds, their motives become darker – and more deadly. Filled with seduction, duplicity, and plenty of forbidden passion, this dark comedy paints a portrait of the pre-Revolutionary French aristocracy in all its cynicism and decadence.
Director: Drew Fracher
Featuring: Giles Davies, Sherman Fracher and Corinne Mohlenhoff
Ensemble Sponsor: Champlin Architecture

A Midsummer Night's Dream
By William Shakespeare
March 22- April 21, 2013
On an enchanted summer's evening three stories are woven together into one tale of hilarity and folly. Four young lovers find themselves entangled in a bewildering game of love in a magical forest where a powerful fairy king and queen are at war while a troupe of ridiculous "actors" attempt to rehearse a play.
Director: Jeremy Dubin
Featuring: Nick Rose, Ian Bond, Justin McCombs and Kelly Mengelkoch
Design Sponsor: Graydon Head

Measure for Measure
By William Shakespeare
May 3- 26, 2013
Isabella must choose between her vows to the church and the life of her brother when she is offered a truly indecent proposal- from the one man on a crusade against Vienna's loose morality. Shakespeare puts hypocritical, ethical and religious double standards on trial in this captivating and deep examination of the value of virtue. Will Isabella she trade her virtue for her brother's life?
Director: Brian Isaac Phillips
Featuring: Kelly Mengelkoch, Brent Vimtrup and Jim Hopkins

Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)*
By Adam Long, Daniel Singer and Jess Winfield
June 7-30, 2013
"The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)" features three actors on a mission: to bring the entirety of Shakespeare's canon to the stage in a single evening of theatre. Audiences will follow along as they careen wildly through all the comedies, histories and tragedies using a trunkful of props, wigs, and ridiculous costumes. Full of clever quips as well as silly slapstick, the script's affectionate and irreverent treatment of Shakespeare's plays has made it one of the most popular shows in America and England. Audiences will have a chance to vote for the 3 cast members to appear in this production!

*Not part of the subscription series

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues to offer audiences great value with affordable, flexible subscriptions that include eight tickets and can be used in any combination for any performance. Adult Subscriptions are $195, Senior Subscriptions are $165, and Student Subscriptions are $130. Budget-conscious patrons can also subscribe to the company's preview series. A Preview Subscription is just $105 and includes eight tickets that can be used for any preview performance, typically Wednesday and Thursday evenings before Opening Night. All subscriptions are currently on sale now and may be purchased through the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company website www.cincyshakes.com or box office by calling 513-381-BARD (2273) ext. 1. Single tickets for all shows in Season 19 are also now on sale.

The theater is located at 719 Race Street, downtown Cincinnati, two blocks west of the Aronoff Center. Single ticket prices range from $22-$28 on Thursday Nights and Sunday Matinees and from $26-$32 on Friday and Saturday Nights. Weekday Matinees at 10am are available for $10 a ticket for school, community, retirement, home school and other groups. Please contact the education department at 513.381.2273 ext. 3202 for more information about these and other educational offerings. Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups as well as Enjoy the Arts, AAA members, and ArtsWave Fun Card holders. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at www.cincyshakes.com.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for audiences of all ages. Located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, CSC produces eight main stage productions each season at its home on Race Street. CSC employs a resident company of actors and artists who live and work in Cincinnati year-round and performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with Actors' Equity Association. CSC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.

Photo Credit: Jeanna Vella