How many times have we all seen "Twelfth Night"? It is one of Shakespeare's most accessible and arguably one of his best plays and therefore one of his most often trotted out pieces. Even Seattle Shakespeare Company admits this current production is the fifth time they've done it in their 24 year history. So I'll admit to a less than enthusiastic attitude when I was off to see it. I mean, what can they do with "Twelfth Night" really? Well, apparently, they can fill it with a stupendous cast, direct it with a kind of 1920's yet otherworldly vibe, liven up all the comedy and flourish it with some hauntingly melancholy original music and turn it into a feast for the senses making this war horse once again a glittering show pony.

'Henry VIII' directed by Paul Mullins in now onstage at The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey through November 9th. Area audiences should relish the opportunity to see a stellar cast in Shakespeare's epic pageant.

THE WINTER'S TALE is not the easiest of Shakespeare's plays to stage. It must believably present a story sharply divided into two parts set in two different countries with drastically contrasting tones, and pull off an ending that resolves them by way of magic or a well-concealed plot, based on whichever point of view the director takes. The violence of the first half of the play in Sicilia (winter) melts away in the pastoral beauty of Bohemia (spring) in the second where the story continues sixteen years later before reuniting the past and present and absolving the sins of a repentant king.

Milwaukee Chamber Theatre (MCT) celebrates the holiday season with THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) [REVISED]. Ray Jivoff directs this literary romp featuring Chris Klopatek, Rick Pendzich, Chase Stoeger and Marcus Truschinski. The cast of MCT favorites are also all alumni of the UW-Whitewater theatre program. Performances are November 19 - December 14, 2014 at the Broadway Theatre Center's Studio Theatre in Milwaukee's Historic Third Ward.

The enterprising and imaginative conductor Anthony Barrese will lead the American premiere of Amleto (Hamlet) with music by Franco Faccio and libretto by Arrigo Boito, based on Shakespeare's play, at Opera Southwest this Sunday afternoon, October 26th, at the Journal Theatre in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

From the company that brought you a cross-gender cast Macbeth and The Taming of the Shrew as a BDSM love story, comes a provocative Othello - a theatrical exploration of outsiders and obsessions. The show runs October 31 through November 21, 2014.

?Next Theatre Company announces the cast for its second production in its 34th season, Shakespeare's Richard III, directed by Jessica Thebus, at Noyes Cultural Arts Center, 927 Noyes Street. Previews are Saturday, January 3 at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, January 4 at 2p.m., Friday, January 9 and Saturday, January 10 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, January 11 at 2 p.m. Press Opening night is Tuesday, January 13 at 7 p.m.

Maryland Ensemble Theatre (MET) will present the second play in its seventeenth Mainstage season, that well known western 'Twelfth Night', a rootin' tootin' six-gun shootin' comedy by Wild Bill Shakespeare. The classic comedy with a MET twist will be directed by Tim Seltzer and will run every Thursday through Sunday at Maryland Ensemble Theatre from today, October 24 through November 16.

The Hilberry Theatre's 52nd season continues with William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, returning to the Hilberry stage for the first time since 2006. The production plays from today, October 24 to December 13, 2014.

The American Repertory Ballet performed a delightful preview of 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' at Hamilton Stage in Rahway on Friday, 10/17. The ballet is choreographed by the company's Artistic Director, Douglas Martin.

THAT PLAY: A Solo Macbeth, the 2013 Drama Desk Nominee for Unique Theatrical Experience, will offer three performances to benefit Stage Left Studio, Oct 28, Nov 4 and Nov 8.

If I were asked to provide the perfect introduction to the work of playwright William Shakespeare I would advise that person to check out The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis' current production of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM. Unlike the bard's histories or tragedies, this play is truly lyrical, funny, and filled with magical elements that make it especially appealing. It's also one of his few tales that isn't based on another source, springing with startling originality from his own fervid imagination, which makes it particularly special among his bountiful canon. It seems like I'm always saying this about the Rep, but they provide must-see entertainment on a regular basis, with this enchanting presentation acting as another fine example of their exemplary work.

Quintessence Theatre Group launches its fifth season of progressive classic theatre with an all-male Shakespeare repertory: AS YOU LIKE IT presented in rotating repertory with RICHARD II. Bringing together the best professional actors and designers from Philadelphia and across the country, Artistic Director Alexander Burns leads this collective of artists on a mission to ignite the classics through visceral, actor-focused and text-driven productions. RICHARD II opened on Saturday, October 18. All performances are at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave in Mt Airy, Philadelphia, PA. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

Shipwrecked romantics get washed ashore in Seattle Shakespeare Company's sparkling comedy Twelfth Night directed by Jon Kretzu at the Center Theatre at Seattle Center. Performances are today, October 21-November 16, 2014 (Previews October 21-23, Opening Night Friday October 24). Performance times: Wednesday-Saturday at 7:30 PM with selected Saturdays at 2PM and selected Sundays at 2PM and 7:30PM

Red Bull Theater's Revelations Readings will kick off its new season with a gala benefit reading of WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE'S THE TEMPEST, featuring Michael Cerveris as Prospero.

No one does Shakespeare like Ten Thousand Things. They manage to boil the text down to its bare essentials, and convey the heart of the story in a way that feels fresh and modern. This season they bring their unique Shakespeare style to perhaps his most well-know play, the story of star-crossed lovers that inspired all others, Romeo and Juliet. In the typically minimalist production (since TTT performs on location at prisons, homeless shelters, and community centers, the paid public performances are also in a small, fully lit room with little in the way of sets and costumes), director Peter Rothstein and his fantastic cast of eight playing multiple characters bring this familiar story to life in a unique way.

Culver City residents and married couple Jack Stehlin and Jeannine Wisnosky Stehlin are getting ready to open Shakespeare's OTHELLO, a co-production between the Odyssey Theatre and The New American Theatre, on Friday, October 24 at the Odyssey Theatre. Jeannine, Managing Director of The New American Theatre, is producing OTHELLO together with Ron Sossi, Artistic Director of the Odyssey Theatre, with Jack starring as the villainous Iago. With his strong physical presence and background as part Mexican and part Native American, A Martinez is playing Othello, the Moor. The production is directed by John Perrin Flynn, Artistic Director of Rogue Machine Theatre.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF dares audiences to take a risk on new plays at PlayFest from November 1 - 3, 2014. Presented by Harriett's Charitable Trust, the fast-paced weekend is packed with lively discussions, engaging playwright panels, and new play readings, along with a keynote speech from playwright Mark St. Germain. This season's event marks the twelfth festival of new plays at the Theater.

Parson's Nose Theater (PNT) begins their 15th Season with a Readers' Theater Series performance of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, featuring Barry Gordon as Shylock.

The Porters of Hellsgate present The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare, produced by The Porters of Hellsgate and directed by Jesse James Thomas, playing today, October 18-November 15 at the Actors Forum.

The Company OnStage Theater has announced the opening production of its 2014-2015 season, William Shakespeare's, 'The Tempest.'

It's confusion times two when Shakespeare writes twins into the mix as Possum Point Players' New Faces of Shakespeare present 'Twelfth Night or What You Will' tonight, Oct. 17, 7:30 pm, Saturday, Oct. 18, 2 pm and 7:30 pm, and Sunday, Oct. 19, 2 pm.

William Shakespeare's swift and relentless tragedy, Macbeth, comes to Theater at Monmouth. Filled with ghosts, witches, and dark prophecies, Macbeth will run for one weekend only in Cumston Hall this weekend, October 17-19 before heading out on the road as part of the theatre's Shakespeare in Maine Communities Education Tour.

The School of Theatre at Florida State University presents Romeo and Juliet, written by William Shakespeare, today, October 16 - 26, 2014. Directed by MFA Directing candidate Carrie Colton, the cast and crew bring one of literature's most well known love stories to life. This original interpretation sets the timeless themes of love, sacrifice, and the terrible cost of ancient grudges against a nontraditional historical backdrop. Scroll down for a sneak peek at the stars below!

For his first directing project since winning the 2014 Tony Award, Artistic Director Darko Tresnjak will helm Shakespeare's masterpiece, Hamlet, playing only four weeks, from tonight, October 16 to November 16, at Hartford Stage. Hamlet follows three popular Shakespearean productions in the last two years by Tresnjak: The Tempest, Twelfth Night, and last season's Macbeth.