William Shakespeare News

Paul Nicholson, Executive Director Emeritus of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival (OSF), has been recognized twice this fall for his contributions to the theatrical arts.

For as long as people have created myths, they've told stories about the mysterious powers of poison. But in the natural world, poisons are simply part of the daily struggle to survive. The astonishing variety of evolutionary adaptations among toxic plants and animals is at the heart of this intriguing exhibition, which also examines humans' attempts to understand poisons' potency, how the science of detecting poison developed, and how researchers today use venoms and other natural toxins to develop new medical treatments. Visitors will encounter some of history's most puzzling poisoning cases, use clues to solve poisoning mysteries, and take part in a live theater presentation to help unravel a real-world case of poisoning.

Actors' Shakespeare Project (ASP) continues its 10th Anniversary Season with Henry VIII, William Shakespeare's final history play and the ultimate tale of colliding politics, religion, lust, and palace intrigue. Directed by Tina Packer, this seldom-produced work comes to life on stage December 11, 2013- January 5, 2014 (press performance December 14 at 8pm) at The Modern Theatre at Suffolk University, 525 Washington Street, Boston. For tickets and information go online at www.actorsshakespeareproject.org or call 866-811-4111.

Producers Meredith Lucio and Sarah Hancock in association with Perry Street Theatricals present the critically acclaimed Bedlam productions of William Shakespeare's Hamlet and George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan, directed by Eric Tucker.

Amaluna by Cirque du Soleil and Humphry Slocombe Ice Cream have joined forces to create Tempest - a one-of-a-kind limited edition ice cream flavor to be sold at Humphry Slocombe during the San Francisco engagement of Amaluna by Cirque du Soleil - today, November 13 - December 31, 2013 at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Dr. Leonard Polonsky and his wife Dr. Georgette Bennett hosted an Elizabethan-styled dinner Sunday, November 10, prior to a performance of Theatre for a New Audience's inaugural production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by multiple Tony Award-winner Julie Taymor with original music composed by Academy Award and Golden Globe-winning Elliot Goldenthal. Scroll down for photos!

Talk Is Free Theatre has announced principal casting and creative teams for the first three productions of the current season. Some of Canada's most renowned artists are scheduled to appear, with additional casting announcements expected to follow at a later date.

The Old Globe presents The Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program presentation of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, continues through Nov. 17 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is tonight, Nov. 9 at 8:00 p.m. Directed by James Newcomb, Much Ado About Nothing tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE, or by visiting the Box Office. Check out a first look below!

The Wooster Group is currently developing a production of one of William Shakespeare's most enigmatic plays, Troilus and Cressida, translating it into a distinctly American idiom. The Group will present four weeks of preview performances of this new production, CRY, TROJANS! (Troilus & Cressida), from January 8-February 2 at The Performing Garage (33 Wooster Street).

Artistic Director Les Waters and Managing Director Jennifer Bielstein are delighted to announce the 38th Humana Festival of New American Plays at Actors Theatre of Louisville, running February 26-April 6, 2014. This year's Festival program will feature (in order of opening):

Reuben Uy ("The King and I," "Altar Boyz"), who is originally from Manila, Philippines, plays the role of Laertes in TE San Pedro Rep's production of William Shakespeare's "Hamlet," which runs until December 21, directed by Martin Jago.

Let's see what the critics had to say...

Austin Shakespeare presents William Luce's The Belle of Amherst, a one-woman show featuring Helen Merino November 14-24th at the Rollins Studio Theatre of the Long Center for the Performing Arts, 701 West Riverside Drive, Thursdays through Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm.

The Old Globe presents The Old Globe/University of San Diego Graduate Theatre Program presentation of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, running tonight, Nov. 9 - Nov. 17 in the Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, part of the Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center. Opening night is tonight, Nov. 9 at 8:00 p.m.

he touring Broadway revival of West Side Story opened at The Orpheum Theatre, Memphis on Tuesday, November 5, 2013. This iconic musical by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim is a dynamic retelling of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet set in mid-twentiety-century New York City.

Producers Meredith Lucio and Sarah Hancock in association with Perry Street Theatricals present the critically acclaimed Bedlam productions of William Shakespeare's Hamlet and George Bernard Shaw's Saint Joan, directed by Eric Tucker.

TWELFTH NIGHT and RICHARD III, starring the Tony-winning, incomparable Mark Rylance, have adopted a creative leniency with the characters' gender - though Shakespeare's staple to command his characters to don the garb of a member of the opposite sex, for reasons interwoven in love and lust, greed and vengeance, is a common thread running throughout his romantic repertoire.