Two Pence Shakespeare Presents THE TRAGEDY OF ROMEO AND JULIET, Opens 7/22

Two Pence Shakespeare presents their inaugural production, William Shakespeare's "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet," set between the two world wars in Italy, exploring the realities of life after combat. Civil unrest is only the symptom of a society dealing with the effects of war, and Verona is populated by young men recently returned home, experiencing fear, loss, grief ... and the unexpected deliverance of love. As modern day America continues to welcome home returning veterans, this production follows me, trained in the art of war, settling into an uneasy peace with their friends and family already suffering from the post-war economy. How can two young people hope to find peace with each other amidst so much chaos and pain? "The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet" runs about two hours with one intermission.

Two Pence will collaborate with the Vet Art Project (VetArtProject.com) to invite war veterans to an open rehearsal on June 12, and a post-show talkback on July 31. Veterans will also be offered ticket discounts, plus some production proceeds from July 29, 30, and 31 will be donated to the organization.

WHERE: Evanston Arts Depot, 600 Main Street, Evanston, IL 60202 In the Evanston Metra Station between Chicago and Custer. Some street parking; CTA bus 201, 202 or 203; Pace bus 204, 250, 426 CTA Purple El stop; Metra Main Street/Evanston stop - schedules at: http://artsdepot.us/artsdepot/location.html

WHEN: Opens Thursday, July 22, 2010, 7:30 p.m. (reception following)
Closes on Saturday, August 21
Runs Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m.
Previews July 15, 16 and 17 at 7:30 p.m.
Some proceeds from the July 29, 30 and 31 shows will go to Vet Art Project

TICKETS: 312-488-1128; www.brownpapertickets.com/event/113607
$20 for regular single tickets (half-price rush tickets available at the door)
$15 for seniors (with ID; also for groups of ten or more)
$10 for previews, veterans, students, and industry members (with ID)

STAFF: Two Pence Shakespeare Staff: Artistic Director Tom Wells (Director), Executive
Director Sarah Augusta (Producer), and Sherry Legare (Co-Producer). Guest
artists include William Anderson (Set Design), Silvita Diaz (Choreography), Shawn Erickson (Graphic Design), Eric Frederickson (Deputy Fight Director), Jeff Harris (Properties Design), Melissa Law (Rehearsal Assistant), Claudette Perez (Sound), and Elizabeth Styles (Fight Director).

CAST: Andy Baldeschwiler (Lord Capulet, Sampson), Austin Campion (Romeo, Abram),
Charles Cowen (Paris), Eric Frederickson (Friar Lawrence), Karen Hill (Lady Capulet, Apothecary), Eliza Hofman (Peter, Sister Joan, Balthazar), Sherry Legare (Nurse, Lady Montague), Daniel McEvilly (Mercutio), Christa Sablic (Juliet), David Shaw (Benvolio), and Johnny Garcia (Price Escalus).

MISSION: Two Pence Shakespeare (TPS) provides quality productions of Shakespeare and his contemporaries, emphasizing the beauty, humor and truth from speaking text with honesty and clarity. TPS also produces new works with classical, universal and humanistic themes, and serves the Chicagoland theater community with professional quality classical acting training. TPS fosters, inspires and educates future generations of actors and theater lovers by bringing Shakespeare into middle and high schools through in-school residencies, summer youth programs and in-school performances and workshops.

For more information visit online at www.TwoPenceShakespeare.org.

Photo Credit: Kaycie Alanis