Maryland Ensemble Theatre's MET-X Program Presents THE CANTERBURY TALES

FREDERICK CLASSICAL ENSEMBLE AND MET-X present Reiner Prochaska's comedic adaptation of Chaucer's marriage tales. This hilarious script showcases the bawdy humor of "The Miller's Tale," "The Merchant's Tale," "The Nun's Priest's Tale," and "The Wife of Bath's Prologue." Prochaska infuses "The "Franklin's Tale" with a hefty dose of comedy as the characters navigate their way through a rocky coastline and an awkward love triangle. Faithful to the original, this stage adaptation is accessible to a young twenty-first century audience for whom it may be an introduction to Chaucer's wise and gentle satire on love, marriage, and sex.

An audience favorite when it premiered on the Maryland Ensemble Theatre's (MET) main stage in 2010, it is the debut production of the Frederick Classical Ensemble in association with MET-X. Long-time MET ensemble member and playwright Prochaska decided to form the Frederick Classical Ensemble to bring Medieval, Renaissance, and historical drama to Frederick audiences. An alumnus of Shepherd University, where he was a member of the Rude Mechanicals, Prochaska decided he wanted "to make the beauty and the wit of classical theatre relevant to young audiences and to produce thought-provoking theatre that can entertain and enlighten."

The Canterbury crew includes graphic and sound design by Ken Poisson and Tom Majarov, costume design by Stephanie Hyder and Julie Herber, and stage management by Rachel Smith. Originally directed by Tad Janes, MET's Producing Artistic Director, this production is re-staged by Reiner Prochaska.

The cast of seven-playing thirty-five different characters-includes Rose Alexander as Philippa, Ray Hatch as the Franklin, Valerie Lash as Allison Howell (the Wife of Bath), Reiner Prochaska as Harry, Cassandra Redding as Sister Mary, Taylor Rieland as Geoffrey, and Ron Ward as the Miller.

The Canterbury Tales: Love and Marriage will perform on the following dates and times: Thursday, June 22 at 8pm, Friday, June 23 at 8pm, Saturday, June 24 at 3pm and 8pm, and Sunday, June 25 at 3pm. Tickets are $15 and may be purchased by phone at (301) 694-4744, online at marylandensemble.org, or in person at the MET box office.

Photo credit: Ken Poisson

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