CYRANO & TWELFTH NIGHT Take The Chesapeake Stage This Summer

The award-winning Chesapeake Shakespeare Company brings two timeless and enduring stories to life this summer with Cyrano de Bergerac, the swashbuckling romance of unrequited love, and Twelfth Night, Shakespeare's delightful comedy, performed among the picturesque ruins of the Patapsco Female Institute Historic Park , Ellicott City , Maryland .

Unlike previous summers, shows will run back-to-back with Cyrano de Bergerac opening on Friday, June 5, 2009 at 8pm and Twelfth Night opening on Friday, June 26, 2009, at 8pm. On Saturday, June 27th, audiences will have the opportunity to see both shows performed back-to-back in our traditional doubleheader beginning at 5pm.

CSC Artistic Director Ian Gallanar directs Cyrano de Bergerac, written by Edmund Rostand with the widely celebrated translation by Anthony Burgess. During the age of the gallant Musketeer, Cyrano de Bergerac's flashing rapier and lightning wit strike fear in those who would mock his unusual appearance, but beneath his flamboyant and spirited facade lies a tender heart that aches for the beautiful Roxane. Believing he can never be worthy of her, he joins forces with his comrade-at-arms, the handsome Christian, to woo Roxane, the woman of both their desires, by pouring his poetic soul into letters, so Christian may court her with them and win her hand. Passionate and inspiring, Cyrano de Bergerac is the great romantic classic of all time. This beloved tale will be on stage June 5-27, 2009.

CSC Associate Director, Jenny Leopold, brings Twelfth Night, Shakespeare's comedy of mistaken identities and mismatched loves, into the twentieth century by setting it in California's mid-1960s. Twelfth Night tells the tale of Viola, who, separated from her twin brother Sebastian by an unfortunate shipwreck, assumes the identity of a man to work her way into the Duke Orsino's court. Her actions lead to hysterical chaos- mistaken identity, bizarre love triangles and ridiculous antics as Shakespeare's well-crafted characters banter and jest their way through confusion, jealousy, duels...and eventually a happy ending that speaks of the madness of love! Twelfth Night will be in performances June 26-July 19, 2009.

In addition to the performances, CSC also provides pre-show entertainment which will feature musicians, jugglers and variety acts that will perform for picnickers who arrive early to enjoy the sights and sounds of the historic park.

This summer will also include special events and activities. Fridays are billed as Fun Formal Fridays, where couples can rent a private candlelit table. Sundays are Family Friendly and include many activities especially designed for children. And to highlight the Independence Day weekend, there will be a special 5pm Fourth of July performance of Twelfth Night.

CSC will continue its program, CSC: The Extended Version by hosting this special event for each show. The evening will begin at 6:30pm with the artist's commentary, for Cyrano de Bergerac, on Saturday, June 13, with CSC Company Member, Frank B. Moorman, speaking about how he created the famous and monstrous role of Cyrano. Twelfth Night's Extended Version will be on Friday, July 17 at 7pm, with CSC Company Member, Dr. Kevin Costa sharing his knowledge and thoughts on what some consider Shakespeare's greatest comedy. Both discussions will be followed by the 8pm performance of the show. CSC: The Extended Version will conclude with the extras; a gathering after the show for a meet and greet with the actors.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.chesapeakeshakespeare.com, by calling 866.811.4111 or prior to the performance at the box office. Groups of 10 or more, please call 410.313.8874. For general information, call the CSC offices at 410.313.8874. (2/24/09)

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