TEENAGE DICK, BOOK OF WILL and More Set for HVSF2 Series

Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival has announced the lineup for its popular new works series, HVSF2.

Now in its seventh season, HVSF2 will feature contemporary works read by HVSF Acting Company alums - including Michael Borrelli, Katie Hartke, Wesley Mann, Ryan Quinn, and Gabra Zackman - as well as members of the 2016 HVSF Acting Company and other professional talent.

All performances will take place at The Philipstown Depot Theatre, 10 Garrison Landing, Garrison, New York. Showtime is 7:30pm and tickets may be purchased through The Depot's website.

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The series features four works on their way to major national stages:

August 3:

TEENAGE DICK (Vaguely adapted from Richard III), by Dramatist Guild Lanford Wilson Award winner Mike Lew, reimagines Shakespeare's most famous disabled character (played here by the indomitable Gregg Mozgala) as a high school student with cerebral palsy seeking the highest office in the land: Senior Class President. The Tony Award nominated Moritz von Stuelpnagel (Hand to God, Important Hats of the 20th Century) directs this devastatingly funny new text about living with disabilities, learning understanding, and the complicated pursuit of a better life.

Wednesday, August 3, 7:30PM

By Mike Lew, Directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel

Cast: Gregg Mozgala (Richard), Shannon DeVido (Buck), Nance Williamson (Elizabeth York), Joe Tippet (Eddie), Stacey Yen (Clarissa), Tiffany Villarin (Anne)

August 5:

Named one of 2015's most produced playwrights in America by American Theatre Magazine, Lauren Gunderson brings us BOOK OF WILL, a sweeping story about the search for, printing, and survival of William Shakespeare's words. Three years after Shakespeare's death, many of his texts were on the verge of being lost forever. John Heminges and Henry Condell, two founding members of Shakespeare's company, realize if they don't do something, no one will. Gunderson vividly imagines the adventures of an unlikely group of supporting players as they struggle to publish the 1623 first Folio, one of the most important single events in the history of world literature. Commissioned by Denver Center Theatre Company, this production, directed by HVSF Artistic Director Davis McCallum, will make its way to the Denver Center Theater Company this winter.

Friday, August 5, 7:30PM

By Lauren Gunderson, Directed by Davis McCallum

Cast: Heidi Armbruster (Elizabeth Condell), Julia Coffey (Rebecca Heminges/Anne Hathaway), Michael Crane (Ralph Crane/Barman/Compositor/Francisco), Sherman Howard (Richard Burbage/Ben Johnson/Horatio), Tim Liu (Marcus/Boy Hamlet/Crier/Bernardo), Wesley Mann (William Jaggard/Barman 2/Dering), Annie Purcell (Alice/Susannah), Kurt Rhoads (Henry Condell), Reggie White (Ed Knight/Isaac Jaggard)

August 9:

Ever the dedicated Janeite, Drama League Award nominee Kate Hamill (Sense & Sensibility, Vanity Fair) brings us her newest adaptation of PRIDE & PREJUDICE. This famous tale of a tempestuous romance features returning HVSF Acting Company member Katie Hartke as the bold Lizzy Bennet and Michael Braun as the dashing Mr. Darcy. Hamill's acclaimed adaptation of Sense & Sensibility continues to play Off-Broadway in an extended run. 2014 Wall Street Journal Director of the Year and Drama League Award nominee Eric Tucker (HVSF's A Midsummer Night's Dream) returns to direct.

Tuesday, August 9, 7:30PM

By Kate Hamill, Directed by Eric Tucker

Cast: David Barlow (Mr. Bingley/Collins), Michael Braun (Mr. Darcy), Katie Hartke (Lizzy), Maggie McDowell (Lydia), Joey Parsons (Charlotte), Ryan Quinn (Mr. Wickham), Nance Williamson (Mrs. Bennet), Gabra Zackman (Mary/Miss Bingley/Lady Catherine)

August 11: In the spirit of HVSF's hyper-local production of Thornton Wilder's Our Town (running Labor Day weekend), HVSF2 features its first-ever OUR TOWN Community Bake-Off: An Evening of Short Plays. Eight original short works from Hudson Valley-based writers, sourced from scores of submissions. This event marries new and experienced talent in the pursuit of great community storytelling. HVSF's 2016 Drama League Classical Directing Fellow, Noa Egozi, directs.

Thursday, August 11, 7:30PM

Directed by Noa Egozi

Works: AN UNMEASURED HYMN By Lucy Austin, STAY HERE By Melissa Beck, THE PLOT THICKENS By Peter Blechman, A ONE-ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE By Diana Hird, 'TILL DEATH By Lila Nawrocki, TRADING PLACES By Jim O'Neill, THE ABANDONED BARN IN COLD SPRING By Madeline Sandler, THE HERO OF SLEEPY HOLLOW By Anne Sumers

Cast: Barzin Akhavan, Michael Borrelli, Thaddeus Fitzpatrick, AMANDA FULLER, Greg Miller, Antoinette Robinson, Kristin Villanueva

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Now celebrating its 30th Anniversary Season, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival (HVSF) is a critically acclaimed (The New York Times, New Yorker, The Wall Street Journal), professional, non-profit theater company. Located one hour north of Manhattan in Garrison, NY, HVSF has established a reputation for lucid, engaging and highly inventive productions staged on the Great Lawn of the historic Boscobel House and Gardens with a backdrop of stunning vistas overlooking the Hudson River. Each year, its productions attract a total audience of more than 35,000 from Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, New York City, New Jersey, and beyond, regularly achieving over 80% audience capacity. HVSF also takes the magic of Shakespeare and live theater beyond the tent by touring shows throughout the Hudson Valley and by presenting limited runs of classic plays in local landmark venues. Their acclaimed arts education programs include training for early-career theater artists, professional development for educators, and programs and performances that serve nearly 50,000 middle and high school students each year. The company's mission is to "engage the widest possible audience in a fresh conversation about what is essential in Shakespeare's plays. Our theater lives in the here and now, at the intersection of the virtuosity of the actor, the imagination of the audience, and the inspiration of the text." For more information about the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, visit hvshakespeare.org.

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