Sam Ashdown

As the century was about to turn when Shakespeare first unveiled his tragic masterpiece, Julius Caesar - it's believed to have been written around 1599 - political turmoil was afoot in Britain as worries mounted about who would succeed the aging virgin queen on the throne upon her demise. Thus, all the political intrigue and conspiratorial backbiting of Elizabeth I's reign no doubt proved fertile enough to inspire Shakespeare's epic tale of the demise of the Roman leader.

Looking ahead, you'll find a number of new productions on tap for your entertainment pleasure, including a number of holiday season offerings to put you in the Christmas spirit, thanks to the efforts of theater companies all over Middle Tennessee. Here's our calendar for December 3, 2018, to help you plot your course through the first few weeks of 2019...

Looking ahead, you'll find a number of new productions on tap for your entertainment pleasure, including a number of holiday season offerings to put you in the Christmas spirit, thanks to the efforts of theater companies all over Middle Tennessee. Here's our calendar for December 3, 2018, to help you plot your course through the beginning of a new year...

Wonderfully complex - and somehow unexpected and altogether authentic - performances from Sam Ashdown as Hamlet and Cheryl White as his mother Gertrude are enough reason to experience Nashville Shakespeare Festival's production of Hamlet (now onstage at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre through Sunday, followed by January 31-February 3 performances at Middle Tennessee State University's Tucker Theatre). But add to their stellar turns, an ensemble comprised of some of the best actors ever to set foot on a local stage, under the self-assured direction of the esteemed Denice Hicks (the company's artistic director), and it practically becomes a requirement for any theater lover within the sound of my voice.

With Nashville Shakespeare Festival's annual Winter Shakespeare production set to open Thursday night Denice Hicks' staging of Hamlet, starring Sam Ashdown actress Cheryl White, who plays Gertrude, found time between rehearsals to talk about the production.

Nashville Shakespeare Festival invites lovers of theater and The Bard to herald the arrival of 2018 and to celebrate the company's 30th Anniversary Season with a sneak peek of the upcoming production of Hamlet during their fifth annual Winter Shakespeare Open House at Belmont University's Troutt Theatre on Sunday, December 31, from 1 to 4 p.m.

'The Bungler' is now onstage at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) through July 30th. This Moliere comedy, translated by Richard Wilbur, enjoys wonderful direction by Brian Crowe and features a cast that capture their roles. It is a perfect summer production, an appealing, laugh-out-loud show for people of all ages.

Continuing its acclaimed 55th season, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will begin performances of The Bungler on July 5. Translated by Richard Wilbur, Moliere's giddy, side-splitting romp will be directed by STNJ's Brian B. Crowe. The play highlights Moliere at his frothiest and silliest as it follows the hilarious adventures of a clueless young lover and his clever servant attempting to help him win the heart and hand of a beautiful gypsy girl.

Continuing its acclaimed 55th season, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will begin performances of The Bungler on July 5. Translated by Richard Wilbur, Moliere's giddy, side-splitting romp will be directed by STNJ's Brian B. Crowe. The play highlights Moliere at his frothiest and silliest as it follows the hilarious adventures of a clueless young lover and his clever servant attempting to help him win the heart and hand of a beautiful gypsy girl.

Nationally esteemed theatre-maker Joseph Hanreddy, former Artistic Director of Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, directs a cast of 19 in his new version of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility on the Leonard C. Haas Stage at People's Light from February 10 to March 20, 2016.

THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, directed by Utah Shakespeare Festival Founder Fred C. Adams, is a huge hit, which has prompted the Festival to add two matinee performances of this hilarious battle of the sexes. The additional shows will be at 2 p.m. on August 5 and 18 in the Auditorium Theatre. The production runs through September 5, 2015. Scroll down for a look at the show!

The Utah Shakespeare Festival has announced the casting of the first eight actors for the 2015 season. All are familiar faces, having appeared at the Festival in the past. Actors include Tony Amendola, Melinda Pfundstein, Aaron Galligan-Stierle, Sam Ashdown, Betsy Mugavero, Peter Sham, David Ivers and Brian Vaughn. Please check for complete casting available soon at www.bard.org.

With a $38 million project under construction, a world premiere adaptation, a visit from England and the continuation of the Complete the Canon and History Cycle initiatives, the Utah Shakespeare Festival showed no signs of slowing down in 2014, its 53rd season. Producing 235 performances in rotating repertory in three theatres for 17 weeks is no easy feat, but through countless hours, a dedicated group of artists has pulled off another artistically successful year. Scroll down for photos from the 2014 season!

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2013-2014 Season with Tom Jones, adapted by Jon Jory from the novel by Henry Fielding and directed by William Brown. The production will run at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie, from today, January 17 - February 23, 2014. The Press Opening is Friday, January 24, at 7:30 pm.

Northlight Theatre, under the direction of Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans, continues its 2013-2014 Season with Tom Jones, adapted by Jon Jory from the novel by Henry Fielding and directed by William Brown. The production will run at Northlight Theatre, 9501 Skokie Blvd in Skokie, from January 17 - February 23, 2014. The Press Opening is Friday, January 24, at 7:30 pm.

Northlight Theatre Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Timothy J. Evans announce casting for the first three selections of the 2013-14 season. Northlight will open its season with the 2013 Pulitzer Prize finalist 4000 Miles by Amy Herzog, featuring Emjoy Gavino, Caroline Neff, Josh Salt and Mary Ann Thebus. The Midwest Premiere of Detroit '67 will feature Tyla Abercrumbie,Cassandra Bissell, Kamal Angelo Bolden, Coco Elysses and Kelvin Roston, Jr. Jon Jory's new adaptation of Henry Fielding's classic novel Tom Jones will include Chris Amos, Sam Ashdown, Nora Fiffer, Molly Glynn, Melanie Keller, John Lister, Cristina Panfilio, Eric Parks and Marcus Truschinski. John Mahoney and Penny Slusher will appear in the World Premiere of Chapatti.