Coming off of a remarkable year that saw a 15% growth in subscription ticket sales and where each production exceeded single ticket goals, Seattle Shakespeare Company announces plans for the theatre's 20th anniversary season. In October, director John Langs returns after his smash hit of The Merchant of Venice in 2009 to stage Hamlet for a six week run. Running in repertory during the latter weeks of Hamlet will be Wittenberg, a hyper-literate four-actor comedy about the Danish prince's years at university. The former artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Henry Woronicz, makes his Seattle Shakespeare Company debut with his fairy tale staging of Chamber Cymbeline in January. In February Artistic Director Stephanie Shine will stage the Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill masterpiece of musical theatre The Threepenny Opera. The 20th anniversary season wraps up in mid-April with Shakespeare's frothy comedy The Merry Wives of Windsor.
Quickly becoming a mainstay of many school curriculums and performing arts venues across the state, Seattle Shakespeare Company will again mount two touring productions for Spring of 2011: a six-actor production of Macbeth and the company's popular 5-actor Romeo and Juliet.
"It's so hard to believe we're going to be marking 20 years of this company," says Artistic Director Stephanie Shine. "We've spiced the season with artistic challenges that speak to our future, and surprising fun that celebrates our past. We're fulfilling the promise we made last year to stage John Lang's Hamlet and our dear friend Rita Giomi directs the devilish new comedy Wittenberg - we've even set up a weekend where folks can see both shows in one day; a veritable Hamlet marathon!"
"I'm thrilled that Henry Woronicz is returning to the Northwest. He's an exquisite artist, and I can't wait for our audiences to get to know him and his work. The Threepenny Opera hasn't been professionally produced in our city in decades, so I'm excited to take on that musical challenge and we've company actors who are ready to take our patrons on this Brechtian journey."
Macbeth
By William Shakespeare Ÿ Directed by George Mount
A ruthless lord seizes power with the help of his scheming wife and a trio of other-worldly witches. Urged on by eerie prophesies and ambitious desire, Macbeth slices through kinsmen, friend and foe in a bloody climb to power at whatever cost. Six actors playing multiple roles create a tight, emotion-packed production that is sure to thrill.
Romeo and Juliet
By William Shakespeare
In the midst of an historical bitter feud, passionate young love emerges. Defying their parents' wishes Romeo and Juliet marry and plot to run away together, only to be thwarted at every turn. With five actors brandishing swords poised for actions, this 90 minute drama is a swashbuckling romance and the greatest love story ever told.
Season Ticket Packages and Single Tickets
Season tickets subscription packages are now on sale and range from $82 to $180 for all five main stage productions. Season ticket subscription packages can be purchased by calling the ticket office at (206) 733-8222. Single tickets will be on sale in September. Seattle Shakespeare Company performs at Center House Theatre at Seattle Center.
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