ASCNJ Presents Twelfth Night in Jersey City, June 1-24

The Actors Shakespeare Company of New Jersey will present the final offering of its 2005-06 season, Twelfth Night – Or What You Will, for 16 performances this June. For the first time in its six-year history, ASC will present the first-half of this limited engagement at its current residence, New Jersey City University's West Side Theatre, before moving the production to Exchange Place Plaza, Jersey City, where the remaining eight performances will be performed outdoors.

"Shipwrecks, mistaken identity, unrequited love and stealthy disguise combine to make mischief in Shakespeare's classic comedy. Despite drunken midnight revels, a haughty servant and a lovesick Duke, the truth shines forth in the form of one young woman who risks everything for love," state press notes.

From Thursday, June 1 through Sunday, June 11, the play will be performed at New Jersey City University's West Side Theatre, located at 285 West Side Ave. (near the intersection of Audubon Ave.) in Jersey City.  From Thursday, June 15 through Sunday, June 24, Twelfth Night will be performed outdoors at Jersey City's Exchange Place Plaza.

Headed by Play Masters Mia Borrelli and Ron Sanborn, the creative team for Twelfth Night includes Paul Hudson (scenic and lighting design), Eva Lachur Omeljaniuk (costume design), Anthony Bex (music composition) and Kristen Seidle (movement and choreography).

The cast features Susanna Baddiel (Olivia), Nicola Barber (Fabian, Orsino's Attendant), Benjamin Curns (Sir Toby Belch), Peter Galman (Captaine, Anthonio), Justin Gibbs (Sebastian), Gregory Gray (Valentine, First Officer), Michael Hajek (Malvolio), Timur Kocak (Sir Andrew Ague-cheeke), Bethany Reeves (Viola), Ed Roggenkamp (Feste, Priest), Kate Ross (Maria), Colin Ryan (Orsino), Eva Sachs (Curio, Olivia's Servant) and Santo Sanabria (Orsino's Attendant, Second Officer).

Actors Shakespeare Company programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts / Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, and by funds from the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional sponsorhip is provided by Merrill Lynch, Light House Tavern, Porto Leggero and the Hartz Corporation

"In October of 2000, eighteen actors met in a small studio in New York City and discussed a mutual desire to create an artistic home for the production and study of Shakespeare's works. The initial three years were spent building the artistry and membership of a core ensemble, a strong production history and educational programming for high schools through Shakespeare WINS. As ASC plans to move into its seventh season next fall, the Company and its vision are clearer and stronger than ever. In its two new homes at New Jersey City University and Exchange Place Plaza, the Company is busy planning its 2006-07 season, including Macbeth, King John (the Company's first history play) and As You Like It. The Company's plans and goals continue to reflect the intentions that its founders put forth at their first gathering: to unlock the deeply human nature of classical theatre for contemporary audiences of all ages," state press notes.

Performances at the West Side Theatre are Thursday and Friday evenings at 8 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Tickets are $30 ($15 for students, seniors and children under 18) and are now available through TheaterMania.com or by calling 866-811-4111.  Outdoor performances at the Exchange Place Plaza will be held Thursday and Friday evenings at 6:30 p.m., with Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Admission is free.

Visit www.ascnj.org for more information.

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