Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD Opens Tonight

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Cincinnati's stage for the classics, continues their 20th Anniversary Season with a special production of Tom Stoppard's "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" playing February 14- March 9, 2014. This production is directed by CSC Artistic Associate Jeremy Dubin and features CSC Resident Ensemble members Justin McCombs and Billy Chace as well as the entire cast of "Hamlet" reprising their roles. The production design is generously sponsored by Graydon Head and GBBN Architects.

Tom Stoppard's comedic tour-de-force "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" turns "Hamlet" on its head, telling the tale from the bewildered perspective of Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, two minor characters in Shakespeare's tragedy. As the befuddled duo struggle to keep up with the events around them, they become increasingly aware of the possibility that they might just be fictional characters. The entire cast of Cincinnati Shakespeare's recent critically acclaimed production of "Hamlet" returns for this delightfully erudite vaudeville production.

Cincinnati Shakespeare's resident ensemble has the unique ability to pair Shakespeare's classic masterpiece, "Hamlet" with Tom Stoppard's contemporary masterpiece "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead", further enhancing the experience for audience members, especially those who see both productions. "It is one of funniest and smartest comedies of the twentieth century," says director Jeremy Dubin, "Doing it back to back with "Hamlet" will give audiences a chance to see the other side of the coin- trust me, that's really funny especially if you know the play."

The director Jeremy Dubin continues to say, "this is, hands down, my favorite contemporary play. It may well be the smartest comedy ever written- with due reverence to its literary forebear Waiting For Godot. Stoppard's wit, humor, intelligence, and his loving irreverence towards Shakespeare (which he would go on to indulge in Shakespeare in Love) absolutely shine in this play. Plus, this production features one of my favorite comedy duos: Billy Chace and Justin McCombs. Yep, this one's going to be a dilly." Longtime resident company members, Billy Chace and Justin McCombs return to the stage as the title characters. Audiences have already delighted in the hilarious antics of Mr. Chace and Mr. McCombs in the sold-out productions this season of "The 39 Steps" and "Every Christmas Story Every Told" in which both actors were featured.

Performances of "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead" are scheduled from February 14- March 9 on Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Preview performances are on Wednesday Feb. 12 and Thursday Feb. 13 at 7:30pm and tickets are $20. No performance on Sunday February 16. The theater is located at 719 Race Street, downtown Cincinnati, two blocks west of the Aronoff Center. Single ticket prices range from $22-$31 on Thursdays and Sundays and from $26-$35 on Fridays and Saturdays. If available, $14 student rush tickets may be purchased 30 minutes before a show with a valid student ID. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Ticketing fees may apply. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups as well as Enjoy the Arts and AAA members. 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.

PHOTO BY MIKKI SCHAFFNER