Impro Theatre's SHAKESPEARE UNSCRIPTED Opens 3/30 at Carrie Hamilton Theatre

Impro Theatre has announced their newest production, Shakespeare UnScripted, directed by Brian Lohmann and Dan O'Connor. Shakespeare UnScripted begins preview performances on Thursday, March 20 at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre (upstairs at The Pasadena Playhouse) in Pasadena. Opening is set for Sunday, March 30, at 5pm. Performances will continue through May 4 only.

Shakespeare UnScripted is a completely improvised play in the style of William Shakespeare. The Impro Theatre ensemble starts with a single audience suggestion and builds improvised, full-length, never-before-seen plays inspired by Shakespeare's poetry, colorful imagery and bawdy innuendo. Every show is totally unique and brings to life the monarchs, spirits, lovers and fools that make up Shakespeare's world. Said Impro Artistic Director Dan O'Connor, "Brian Lohmann and I are very excited to roll up our sleeves, dive into the world of Shakespeare's romantic Italian comedies, and bring this brand new production to the Carrie Hamilton Theatre."

The cast is a rotating ensemble, including (in alphabetical order) Kari Coleman, Lisa Fredrickson, Kelly Holden-Bashar, Brian Jones, Stephen Kearin, Brian Lohmann, Nick Massouh, Dan O'Connor, Edi Patterson, Paul Rogan, Michele Spears, and Floyd Van Buskirk. The set and costumes are by Sandra Burns, the lighting design is by Leigh Allen, stage manager and lighting improviser is Michael Becker, and sound improviser is Alex Caan.

Impro Theatre is an Unscripted Repertory Company that has brought innovative, unscripted theatre to Los Angeles and the world. The company's goal is to take core narrative and style elements of great playwrights and writers, and create a new play using no more than the essence of an author's work and an audience suggestion. Most recently, unscripted explorations of great literary figures has included Shakespeare, Dickens, Stephen Sondheim, and Tennessee Williams. For more, visit www.ImproTheatre.com.

Shakespeare UnScripted begins preview performances on Thursday, March 20 at 8pm and continue through March 29 at 8pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and at 2pm on Sunday. Opening is set for Sunday, March 30 at 5pm. The regular running schedule is Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 2pm through May 4 only. Tickets are $20 for previews, and $30 for regular performances ($15 student tickets are available; student ID required at the door). Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased online at www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org, or by calling (626) 356-7529.