Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey Announces 50th Anniversary Season

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey today announced its 2012 season – the 50^th Anniversary season of the state's largest professional theatre dedicated to Shakespeare and other world classics, and the longest running Shakespeare Theatre on the East Coast.  Founded in 1963 in Cape May by Paul Barry and Philip Dorian as the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival, the company was invited to take up residence at Drew University in 1972.  2012 also marks the 40^th Anniversary of the Theatre's residency in Madison.

In announcing the season, Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte said, "from the founding of "The New Jersey Shakespeare Festival" in Cape May, to the move to Drew University in 1972, to my first season in 1991, to the opening of the new F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in 1998, and now to our 50^th Anniversary, our audiences have applauded, cheered, and supported this venerable institution every step of the way, and for that we are immensely proud and grateful."  The 2012 season marks Ms. Monte's 22^nd as artistic director of the Theatre.  

The Shakespeare Theatre's Main Stage season begins in late May and will continue through December.   Advance orders for full season Complete Works discount subscriptions are now available and include tickets to all Main Stage productions as well as the opportunity to add on the annual Outdoor Stage production at a significant discount.  For information, or to purchase a subscription, call the box office at 973-408-5600 or visitwww.ShakespeareNJ.org. 

The season begins with William Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part One.   Not seen on The Shakespeare Theatre stage in two decades, this is one of Shakespeare's most popular history plays, introducing Prince Hal and the larger-than-life Sir John Falstaff at the height of his rowdy power.  Associate Artistic Director Joseph Discher (To Kill A Mockingbird) will direct this season opener where fact and fiction blend seamlessly under Shakespeare's sure hand as he paints the portrait of a young prince's reformation and ascent to manhood.  Henry IV, Part One begins performances on May 30^th and continues through June 24^th.

Next is a playfully wicked, new adaptation of Pierre Corneille's French farce The Liar.   About its sold-out, critically acclaimed run in Washington, DC, The Washington Post said of this award-winning adaptation, "The Liar and its mischievous adapter, David Ives, want you to savor every meticulously groomed conceit, every stylishly turned-out couplet, every assiduously manicured joke."  This hilarious romp about the hijinks of six young Parisian lovers will run from July 4 – 29^th.  The Liar will be directed by long-time company member Paul Mullins (Noises Off,Accidental Death of an Anarchist). 

The summer continues with Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte directing Shakespeare's dark comedy Measure for Measure.  This mercurial masterpiece could have been written yesterday.  It is a story for all times and its contemporary relevance is chillingly palpable.  This age-old tale of scandal, abuse of power and what happens when repression and profligacy get equally out of balance will begin performances on August 8^th and continue through August 26^th.  

For its annual Outdoor Stage production at the Greek amphitheater at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morris Township, The Shakespeare Theatre will present Shakespeare's raucous slapstick The Comedy of Errors.  Two sets of identical twins, mistaken identities, colorful characters and a madcap chase sequence (to rival all chase sequences!) conspire to make this caper a thrill for children and adults of all ages!  This outdoor production will be directed by Shakespeare Theatre veteran Jason King Jones (The Complete Work of William Shakespeare (abridged)).   The Comedy of Errors will run from June 20^th through July 29^th.  

To launch the Fall portion of the season, director Brian B. Crowe will set his imagination in motion for Neil Bartlett's highly-praised adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist.  Featuring an ensemble of 12 actors who play myriad roles, this piece will delight the senses.  Filled with music, familiar characters and the visceral landscape of Victorian England's underworld, this is a dynamic theatrical vision of Dickens' classic – a wonderful offering for people of all ages.  Oliver Twist runs September 12^th through October 7^th.  

Not since 2004 has The Shakespeare Theatre produced a musical but, to celebrate its 50^th Anniversary Season, the Theatre announced it will present the award-winning musical Man of La Mancha, based on Miguel de Cervantes'Don Quixote de la Mancha, by Dale Wasserman with lyrics by Joe Darion and music by Mitch Leigh.  Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte will direct with Broadway veteran and longtime Shakespeare Theatre Company memberRobert Cuccioli in the iconic role of Don Quixote.  Man of La Mancha will begin performances on October 17^thand continue through November 18^th.  

The Theatre's 50^th Anniversary Season will close with the rarely-seen classic gem Trelawny of the Wells by Arthur Wing Pinero.  This fabulous romantic comedy about life in the theatre in England at the turn of the 19^th century offers a fitting tribute to the thousands of artists who have graced the stages of the Shakespeare Theatre over the past 50 years.  Directed by Bonnie J. Monte, Trelawny of the Wells runs December 5^th through December 30^th.    

Special Events

A series of special events is also planned for the 2012 Season.   Back by popular demand are Something Wicked This Way Comes and Something Merry This Way Comes.  Titled from a line in Shakespeare's Macbeth, Something Wicked This Way Comes features esteemed actors from The Shakespeare Theatre Company as well as guest artists presenting a 90-minute collage of dramatic readings from the classic canon of the macabre.  This one-night-only event will be held on October 29.   

Hearkening back to a time when families read to each other, Something Merry This Way Comes is a cornucopia of sparkling and inspiring holiday tales, songs, and poems read by members of the Shakespeare Theatre's company of actors.  Something Merry This Way Comes is appropriate for all ages, and provides simple and pure antidote to the commercial glitz that inundates our lives each year as we near the holidays.  Something Merry This Way Comes will be held on December 10. 

Lend Us Your Ears, the Theatre's acclaimed play reading series, returns for the 2012 season and provides patrons the opportunity to join the Shakespeare Theatre's directors, actors and artistic staff in exploring diverse and exciting plays.  These script-in-hand readings feature members of The Shakespeare Theatre's esteemed company of actors as well as prestigious guest artists.  Kicking off the series is David Blixt's Eve of Ides which imagines Caesar and Brutus on the night before Caesar's assassination debating politics, family, history, and the future.  The Eve of Ides reading will take place on the actual eve of the Ides of March, March 14 at 7 p.m.  Additional readings will soon be announced. 

For more information about these special events, visit ShakespeareNJ.org or call the box office at 973-408-5600. 

Discount Subscriptions

Advance orders for Complete Works discount subscriptions, including tickets to all six Main Stage productions, are now being taken.  Complete Works discount subscriptions start at $117 for previews.  Student subscriptions are available for an amazing deal at only $60 for all six Main Stage productions.   Call The Shakespeare Theatre Box Office at 973-408-5600.   The Complete Works discount subscription features up to 42% percent savings off the cost of regular tickets, the best seats to all Main Stage productions; free, easy and unlimited ticket exchanges should schedules change; discounts on additional tickets; and the convenience of having tickets in hand and dates scheduled in advance.   Call the box office at 973-408-5600.  Look for more information at www.ShakespeareNJ.org.  Dates and titles are subject to change. 

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Main Stage, the 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, is conveniently located in Madison at 36 Madison Avenue (Route 124) at Lancaster Road (on the Drew University campus), just minutes from routes 287, 78 and 10. Parking is free.  The Outdoor Stage is located on the campus of the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown.   The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is barrier free with access into the Theatre via a ramp and elevator access to all floors.   Wheelchair seating and transfer seating is available.  Braille and large print programs are available.   Infrared listening devices are available free of charge.  Some performances are audio described.  Contact the theatre for more information.   For more information, or to purchase tickets, call973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org. 

The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey's largest professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.