The Old Globe 2018 Summer Shakespeare Festival to Include THE TEMPEST

The Old Globe today announced its next cast and creative team-including numerous Globe favorites and new faces-as the 2018 Summer Shakespeare Festival once again presents the finest of the Bard's work outdoors under the stars in the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. Summer will officially arrive with The Tempest, directed by Joe Dowling (formerly the Artistic Director for Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis and Abbey Theatre in Ireland), with star of stage and screen Kate Burton as Prospera, running June 17 - July 22, 2018. Tickets start at $30.00, on sale to the general public now. Previews run June 17 - 22. Opening night is Saturday, June 23 at 8:00 p.m.

Prospera, the Duchess of Milan, lives in exile on a desert island after being thrown out of power by her wicked brother. For company, she has only her daughter Miranda, the spirits who are native to the island, and her beloved books. The books are the source of her dark magic, which she uses to lure her enemies to the island so she can exact revenge. But her plot could destroy Miranda's happiness, so Prospera must choose between her own anger and her daughter's future. This enchanting fantasy, brimming with magic and romance, kicks off the 2018 Shakespeare Festival with spectacle under the stars.

"The Tempest, Shakespeare's masterpiece about redemption and the rediscovery of kindness, couldn't be more of a balm for our turbulent moment," said Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein. "Its gorgeous poetry, breathtaking spectacle, and unforgettable characters remind us that virtue and forgiveness are supreme human values. It's one of my favorite plays, and I am thrilled that this summer it is in the hands of two masters: the eminent director Joe Dowling, and the surpassingly gifted classical actress Kate Burton. Together with an ace company of actors and first-rate designers, they will make a thrilling and memorable evening of Shakespeare under the warm San Diego sky, and I can't wait to share it with our audience."

The cast features Kate Burton as Prospera (starred on Broadway in Present Laughter and Spring Awakening, Tony Award-nominated for The Constant Wife, The Elephant Man, and Hedda Gabler, "Grey's Anatomy," "This Is Us"), with Philippe Bowgen as Ariel (the eponymous Picasso at the Lapin Agile; Off Broadway's Homos, Or Everyone in America and The Changeling), Robert Dorfman as Stephano (The Twenty-seventh Man, Broadway's The Lion King, Social Security; A Dybbuk, and The Normal Heart), Manoel Felciano as Caliban (Ken Ludwig's Robin Hood! and Twelfth Night, Tony nomination for Broadway's Sweeney Todd, Amélie), Globe Associate Artist Robert Foxworth as Alonso (Quartet, Other Desert Cities, Inherit the Wind, Richard III, August: Osage County, and many more), Lizan Mitchell as Gonzala (Drama Desk Award for Trojan Women, Broadway's So Long on Lonely Street, films The Preacher's Wife and The Human Stain, "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt"), René Thornton Jr. as Antonio (seen in every play in Shakespeare's Folio at American Shakespeare Center in Virginia), and Andrew Weems as Trinculo (Craig Noel Award winner for Don Juan; Born Yesterday, Inherit the Wind, and The Green Bird on Broadway). The cast also includes students in The Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program: Sam Avishay as Ferdinand (The Importance of Being Earnest, King Richard II, and Hamlet) and Nora Carroll as Miranda (Hamlet and King Richard II); and ensemble members Carlos Angel-Barajas, Yadira Correa (Francisca), Daniel Ian Joeck (Sebastian), Jose Martinez, Renardo Charles Pringle Jr. (Boatswain), Larica Schnell (Ceres), Jersten Seraile, Samantha Sutliff (Juno), Morgan Taylor, Wenona Truong (Iris), Jared Van Heel (Adrian), and Eric Weiman (Shipmaster).

The creative team includes Alexander Dodge (Scenic Design; Craig Noel Awards for The Comedy of Errors and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder; Kiss Me, Kate), David Israel Reynoso (Costume Design; The Wanderers, Red Velvet, The Blameless, and more), Philip S. Rosenberg (Lighting Design; Broadway's Pretty Woman: The Musical, The Elephant Man, and A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder), Jonathan Deans (Sound Design), Keith Thomas (Original Music), David Huber (Voice and Dialect Coach), Tara Rubin Casting (Casting), and Anjee Nero (Production Stage Manager).

Joe Dowling (Director) began his career as an actor at Abbey Theatre, Ireland's National Theatre. He became the youngest-ever Artistic Director of the Abbey in 1978. He founded and directed the Gaiety School of Acting, Ireland's first theatre school. In 1995, he became Director of Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, where he served for 20 years. During his time at the Guthrie, he oversaw the building of the new three-theatre complex on the banks of the Mississippi River. Mr. Dowling has directed extensively in his native Ireland, on Broadway, in London's West End, and in many theatres in Canada and the United States. He holds honorary degrees from a number of universities, including National University of Ireland, University of Minnesota, Gonzaga University, and University of St. Paul.

The Tempest is supported in part by the Jean and Gary Shekhter Fund for Classic Theatre and through gifts from Production Sponsors Diane and John Berol, Karen and Donald Cohn, Pamela Farr and Buford Alexander, and Vicki and Carl Zeiger, as well as Artist Sponsor Jeanette Stevens (for actor Philippe Bowgen, who plays Ariel). Financial support is provided by The City of San Diego.

Additional events taking place during the run of The Tempest include:

SHAKESPEARE IN THE GARDEN: Tuesday, June 26; Wednesday, June 27; Thursday, June 28;

Friday, June 29; and Saturday, June 30; all at 7:00 p.m.

The Old Globe artistic staff presents introductory talks prior to select performances. All talks take place one hour prior to the show, in the Craig Noel Garden. FREE.

VICKI AND CARL ZEIGER INSIGHTS SEMINAR: Tuesday, June 19, 2018 at 6:30 p.m.

An opportunity to closely connect with productions both onstage and backstage. A panel selected from the artistic company of each show (playwrights, actors, directors, designers, and/or technicians) engages patrons in an informal and illuminating presentation of ideas and insights to enhance the theatregoing experience. Reception at 5:00 p.m. FREE.

POST-SHOW FORUMS: Tuesdays, June 26 and July 3, and Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Join us after the show for an informal and enlightening question-and-answer session with cast, crew, and/or Globe staff members. Get the inside story on creating a character and putting together a professional production. FREE.

FREE MONDAY NIGHT FILM SCREENINGS: Mondays, July 9, 16 and 30, and August 27.

Fred Wilcox's Forbidden Planet: July 9 at 8:15 p.m., Lowell Davies Festival Theatre;

Ralph Fiennes's Coriolanus: July 16 at 7:00 p.m., Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center;

Orson Welles's Othello: July 30 at 7:00 p.m., Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the Old Globe Theatre, part of the Conrad Prebys Theatre Center;

Ian McKellen's Richard III: August 27 at 8:00 p.m., Lowell Davies Festival Theatre.

Admission is free. Seating for each film is first-come, first-served by general admission.

The line begins one hour before each screening. Full release with film details to come.

SINGLE TICKETS to The Tempest start at $30.00 and are on sale to the general public now. Tickets can be purchased online at www.TheOldGlobe.org, by phone at (619) 23-GLOBE [234-5623], or by visiting the Box Office at 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. Discounts are available for full-time students, patrons 29 years of age and under, seniors, military members, and groups of 10 or more.

PERFORMANCES begin on June 17, 2018 and continue through July 22. Performance times: Previews: Sunday, June 17 at 8:00 p.m.; Tuesday, June 19 at 8:00 p.m.; Wednesday, June 20 at 8:00 p.m.; Thursday, June 21 at 8:00 p.m.; and Friday, June 22 at 8:00 p.m. Opening night is Saturday, June 23 at 8:00 p.m. Regular performances (June 24 - July 22): Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 8:00 p.m. There will be no performances on Wednesday, July 4 or Sunday, July 15, with additional performances on Monday, July 2 and Monday, July 16, both at 8:00 p.m.

The 2018 Summer Season continues with Dr. Seuss's The Lorax, presented by The Old Globe and Children's Theatre Company, in partnership with The Old Vic. Based on the book The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, it is adapted for the stage by David Greig, with music and lyrics by Charlie Fink, and directed by Max Webster. Originally produced at The Old Vic in London, where it was directed by Webster, Dr. Seuss's The Lorax includes puppet design by Finn Caldwell and Nick Barnes, choreography by Drew McOnie, and scenic and costume design by Rob Howell. Performances run July 2 - August 12, 2018. The classic Neil Simon comedy Barefoot in the Park follows, directed by Jessica Stone (Ken Ludwig's Robin Hood!, Arms and the Man, and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at the Globe), which will run July 28 - August 26, 2018, and Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing, directed by three-time Tony Award winner Kathleen Marshall (the Globe's Love's Labor's Lost), runs August 12 - September 16.

Don't miss the many humanities-based events surrounding each production designed to make theatre matter to more people-including Insights Seminars, Post-Show Forums, and Shakespeare in the Garden. Ongoing arts engagement programs throughout the year include Globe for All, AXIS, coLAB, Behind the Curtain, Bard Basics, Reflecting Shakespeare, Community Voices, Breaking Bread, Pam Farr Summer Shakespeare Studio, Subject Matters, and Behind-the-Scenes Tours. Pioneering programs include Free Student Matinee Series, Sensory-Friendly Performances, School in the Park, and The Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley Graduate Theatre Program. Watch for details of exciting new guests to be announced for In Conversation with Barry Edelstein, Thinking Shakespeare!, and Powers New Voices Festival. The Old Globe is an internationally recognized cultural icon striving to serve its audiences with the best possible theatrical experiences while providing year-round arts engagement and community programs for the citizens of San Diego County.

LOCATION and PARKING INFORMATION: The Old Globe is located in San Diego's Balboa Park at 1363 Old Globe Way. Through a special arrangement with the San Diego Zoo, Old Globe evening ticket-holders have the opportunity to pre-purchase valet parking in the Zoo's employee parking structure. With a drop-off point just a short walk to the Globe, theatregoers may purchase fast, easy, convenient valet parking for just $14 per vehicle per evening. Pre-paid only, available only by phone through The Old Globe Box Office. Call (619) 234-5623 or visit www.theoldglobe.org/plan-your-visit/directions--parking/valet-parking. The Balboa Park valet is also available during weekend performances, located in front of the Japanese Friendship Garden. For additional parking information visit www.BalboaPark.org.

There are numerous free parking lots available throughout the park. Guests may also be dropped off in front of the Mingei International Museum. There is a 10-minute zone at The Old Globe, used only for daytime deliveries, ticket purchases, and handicapped access dropoff. For directions and up-to-date information, please visit www.theoldglobe.org/plan-your-visit/directions--parking/detailed-directions.

PLEASE NOTE: To look up online or GPS directions to The Old Globe, please do not use the Delivery Address above. For GPS users, please click here for the map coordinates, and here for written directions to The Old Globe and nearby parking in Balboa Park.

CALENDAR: A Thousand Splendid Suns (5/12-6/17), AXIS: By the Community, For the Community (5/12), Native Gardens (5/26-6/24), AXIS: Kids' Dance Party, Featuring Dance To EvOLve (6/12), The Tempest (6/17-7/22), AXIS: Make Music San Diego (6/21); Dr. Seuss's The Lorax (7/2-8/12), AXIS: Fourth District Senior Center's Globe Takeover, Featuring the Seasoned Line Dancers (7/10), Barefoot in the Park (7/28-8/26), Much Ado About Nothing (8/12-9/16), AXIS: LV's Island Flair, Featuring Dance Lessons with Elvina Addams (8/21), The Heart of Rock & Roll (9/6-10/21), AXIS: Mexican Independence Day Celebration, Featuring Las Colibrí in Concert (9/15), 2018 Globe Gala featuring Andra Day (9/22), M.F.A.: Julius Caesar (10/20-10/28), AXIS: Day of the Dead Celebration (10/28), Globe for All Tour: A Midsummer Night's Dream (10/30-11/18), Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (11/3-12/29), Looking for Christmas: The New Clint Black Christmas Musical (11/13-12/16), Familiar (1/26-3/3/2019), Tiny Beautiful Things (2/9-3/10), Life After (3/22-4/28), They Promised Her the Moon (4/6-5/5), Ken Ludwig's The Gods of Comedy (5/11-6/16), What You Are (5/23-6/23).

The Tony Award-winning Old Globe is one of the country's leading professional regional theatres and has stood as San Diego's flagship arts institution for over 80 years. Under the leadership of Erna Finci Viterbi Artistic Director Barry Edelstein and Managing Director Timothy J. Shields, The Old Globe produces a year-round season of 15 productions of classic, contemporary, and new works on its three Balboa Park stages: the Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage in the 600-seat Old Globe Theatre and the 250-seat Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, both part of The Old Globe's Conrad Prebys Theatre Center, and the 605-seat outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, home of its internationally renowned Shakespeare Festival. More than 250,000 people attend Globe productions annually and participate in the theatre's artistic and arts engagement programs. Numerous world premieres such as the 2014 Tony Award winner for Best Musical, A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder, Meteor Shower, Bright Star, Allegiance, The Full Monty, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and the annual holiday musical Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! have been developed at The Old Globe and have gone on to enjoy highly successful runs on Broadway and at regional theatres across the country.