Telluride Theatre Presents William Shakespeare's PERICLES

One of the most popular plays realized during Shakespeare's career, Telluride Theatre's innovative new offering will feature live folk music on the breathtaking Town Park Stage this summer. Executive Director Colin Sullivan helms the production.

What if we told you that one of Shakespeare's most famous plays of his time was co-authored by a pimp? What if we told you each Act starts off with a guitar ballad of folk music by a character that was an actual poet who lived in the 14th century. What if we promised there would be pirates?

Written around 1607, Shakespeare's epic adventure is concerns Prince Pericles, a tempest-tossed adventurer who embarks on an odyssey across foreign lands. Against the backdrop of sea storms and fairytale kingdoms, he encounters a dangerous king, rescues a civilization from famine, falls in love with a tenacious princess, experiences great loss and ultimately finds salvation in the importance of family.

Michael Raver* (Telluride Theatre's Taming of the Shrew) returns as narrator John Gower, performing a variety of classical and contemporary folk songs, including tunes by Bob Dylan and The Decemberists. Telluride Theatre alums Evan MacMillan (Taming of The Shrew) and Simon Perkovich (Romeo and Juliet), will both appear, along with Raver, as the play's title character. Newcomer Ramie Holmquist plays Pericles' love, Thaisa, with Jerrica Steger as Marina.

"We live in a crazy time and Pericles is a crazy play," says Sullivan. "It's an epic that was popular in Shakespeare's time but it's also, in some ways, a real mess. It's Shakespeare experimenting late in his career and winning at that. I'm interested to actually try an epic in a non-epic way."

Celebrating 28 years of Shakespeare in the Park, Telluride Theatre brings audiences a unique, up close and personal way to experience one of Shakespeare's last plays.

When asked what makes Shakespeare in the Park so special for Telluride, Sullivan states, "There are a lot of live events you can see on the Town Park Stage, but there's only one you can see from the Town Park Stage. It's a unique experience to actually be part of the action on stage, looking out over our amazing box canyon as the sun creeps down the valley. Theater is supposed to remind people of who they are and why they're here."

Performances are July 21-29

RAIN OR SHINE (Please Dress Warmly)

For tickets, visit www.telluridetheatre.org

Concessions, beer, wine & cocktails will be available

$20 Adult General Admission
$12 Students
Telluride Theatre Members & Sponsors receive reserved seats

Directed by Colin Sullivan
Choreography by Cat Lee Covert
Choral Direction by Anna Robinson
Musical Direction by Ethan Hale
Lighting by Tommy Wince
Costumes by Melissa Trn

Featuring: Suzanne Cheavens, Arabella Galbo, Cari Galbraith, Ramie Holmquist, Sue Knechtel, Marty Langion, Peter Lundeen, Dave MacMillan, Evan MacMillan, Jaxon Mosher, Blaine Musselman, Simon Perkovich, Michael Raver*, Crisanne Schworn, Jerrica Steger, Lexi Torelli and Sam Young.

*Appearing courtesy of Actor's Equity Association.