Michigan Shakespeare Festival to Host SCENES & SONNETS FROM SHAKESPEARE Benefit, 11/9

The Michigan Shakespeare Festival is proud to announce a one night only benefit performance of Scenes & Sonnets From Shakespeare on Saturday, November 9th at the Jackson Symphony Orchestra Hall, 215 West Michigan Avenue in Jackson. Doors will open at 7:30 p.m. and the performance will begin at 8:00 p.m. Conceived by and starring MSF regulars Janet Haley and David Turrentine, Scenes & Sonnets From Shakespeare is an original program featuring scenes and monologues from some of Shakespeare's most famous works, such as Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. Hosted by Bart and Karen Hawley, the evening will also include delectable hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Scenes & Sonnets from Shakespeare also marks the first program in the MSF's 20th Anniversary Season Artistic Associates Series. The Series is a slate of performances, readings and special events scheduled throughout this winter and spring that will be announced at a later date.

The brainchild of Shakespearian actors Janet Haley and David Turrentine, Scenes & Sonnets from Shakespeare was born out of the actors desire to, according to Haley, "immerse the audience in the action and words in some of Shakespeare's best-known 'love is a battlefield' scenes between men and women." No stranger to having been coupled before, Haley and Turrentine were last seen on the MSF stage as Elizabeth and Richard III. Artistic Director Janice L. Blixt is excited to be working with the pair on this production, proceeds of which will benefit the MSF. "We are so fortunate to have Artistic Associates who are both incredibly talented and incredibly supportive of the Festival. Janet and David can do it all: they're funny, they're heartbreaking, they're shocking and moving performers. I'm overwhelmed by their generosity with their time and talent."

Tickets for Scenes & Sonnets From Shakespeare are $25 per person, $40.00 per couple and can be purchased by calling the Michigan Shakespeare Festival office Monday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. at 517-998-3673 or online at www.michiganshakespearefestival.com. All proceeds of the event will benefit the Michigan Shakespeare Festival.

Founded in 1995, the Michigan Shakespeare Festival is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit professional theatre company operating under a League of Regional Theatres Letter of Agreement with the Actors' Equity Association. The MSF is dedicated to entertaining and educating a broad-based audience through professional performances of Shakespeare's works and other classic plays. In 2003 the MSF's quality productions earned it the designation as "The Official Shakespeare Festival of the State of Michigan" from the Michigan State Legislature. The MSF performs a repertory season of three productions annually at The Baughman Theatre, located in Jackson College's Potter Center.

Photo by Jeromy Hopgood