Shakespeare Project Of Chicago Presents Free Theatrical Readings Of WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago continues its 23rd Theatrical Reading Season with free performances of Thomas Middleton's Jacobean comic drama WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN, running Feb. 23-27, 2018, at six Chicago-area venues.

"Never were finer snares for women's honesties /than are devis'd in these days."

In a world where men have all the power, what happens when women decide to take power for themselves? Marriages crumble, lust reigns supreme, widows are beguiled, passions slaked, revenge plotted, and power brokers may be caught in their own web. WOMEN BEWARE WOMEN, by Thomas Middleton, is hailed as a masterpiece of Jacobean drama: smart, slick and hilarious, it is arguably the playwright's crowning achievement. A deliciously decadent soap opera of a play, it showcases bad behavior - featuring possibly the bloodiest, most inventive climactic scene in Jacobean literature - giving new meaning to "murder most foul."

Kelly Lynn Hogan and Michelle Shupe direct a cast that includes Matt Bowdren, Judy Blue, Cordelia Dewdney, Diane Dorsey, Matthew Fahey, Frank Farrell, Jodi Gage, Peter Garino, Peter Eli Johnson, David Krajecki, Daniel Millhouse, Corliss Preston, Erin Sloan and Stephen Spencer.

The production features music and sound design by George Zahora. Regina Buccola is the dramaturg.

Admission is free and seating is limited. All performances are preceded by an introduction to the play that commences 15 minutes prior to curtain.

Performance schedule

• Fri., Feb. 23, 7 p.m., Niles-Maine District Library, 6960 W. Oakton St., Niles (registration required, 847-663-1234)
• Sat., Feb. 24, 10 a.m., The Newberry Library, 60 W. Walton St., Chicago
• Sat., Feb. 24, 2 p.m., Wilmette Public Library, 1242 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
• Sun., Feb. 25, 2 p.m., Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel Ave., Highland Park
• Mon., Feb. 26, 6:30 p.m., Vernon Area Public Library, 300 Olde Half Day Road, Lincolnshire (registration required, 847-634-3650)
• Tue., Feb. 27, 7:15 p.m., Mount Prospect Public Library, 10 S. Emerson St., Mount Prospect (registration required, 847-253-5675)

The Shakespeare Projects's 2017/18 Theatrical Reading Season kicked off in October with Shakespeare's AS YOU LIKE IT, directed by J.R. Sullivan, and continued in January with the rarely seen political thriller CORIOLANUS, directed by Barbara Zahora. The season will culminate in May with Peter Garino directing Shakespeare's comedy MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

The Shakespeare Project of Chicago's Theatrical Readings are fully staged, book-in-hand performances featuring members of Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers.

For more information, visit www.shakespeareprojectchicago.org and www.facebook.com/shakespeareprojectchicago.