Boulevard Ensemble Theatre Presents LOVE'S LABOR'S WON

Boulevard Ensemble Studio Theatre, located at 2252 South Kinnickinnic, continues its 24th season of producing dynamic, exciting theatre by staging the Milwaukee premiere of a "lost" Shakespeare play entitled LOVE'S LABOR'S WON (Wednesday, February 10th through Sunday, March 14th, 2010).

Also known as ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, this rare and wonderfully bittersweet romance tells the tale of a physician's daughter, Helena (Shannon Nettesheim), who is deeply in love with the fickle, aloof Bertram (Chad Laudonio). Bertram, the son of the Countess of Rossillion (Karen Ambrosh), is far above Helena in social status and is immeasurably beyond her reach romantically. Helena can either accept her restricted social standing (and a life of spinsterhood) or she must discover a way to simultaneously lift herself up from her less than noble status, achieve social mobility, and win Bertram's unresponsive heart.

And Shakespeare's heroine must accomplish all this while curing the ailing King of France (Charles Hanel) from his mysterious fatal disease, confront the Countess of Rossillion (Bertram's mother and Helena's protector & guardian) about loving Bertram, and solve the conundrum of Bertram's challenges (that he will never consider her as his wife until she can get his late father's bequeathed ring off his finger and carry his child).

Bertram's challenges seem impossible to conquer as Bertram has sworn to the Countess that he will never remove his late father's ring and has publicly stated that he will never lie with Helena and will never allow himself to have sexual relations with her.
Also included in this romantic entanglement are: Bertram's mentor and ne'er-do-well braggart, Parolles (David Flores); the Countess' sly & sarcastic clown Lavatch (Mark Ninneman); the King's counsel, Lord Lafew (Douglas Smedbron), the lovely Italian girl whom the young Bertram desires and pursues, Diana (Melissa Keith); the Dumaine brothers who serve the King of France (Paul Madden and Hugh Blewett); the Countess' handmaiden, Reynalda (Jamieson Hawkins) and Diana's widowed Mother (Barbara Weber).

According to scholars and researchers, contemporary writers of Shakespeare refer to a delightful comedy entitled LOVE'S LABOUR'S WON, which has never been found nor discovered. But recent writings and critical conjecture surmise that the title refers to a Shakespeare play already known to the public and which may exist as a literary composite of a rough draft (LOVE'S LABOUR'S WON) and the later, more mature finished product (ALL'S WELL). Some scholars and researchers theorize that LOVE'S LABOUR'S WON is an early draft of either MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING or ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL. Many scholars debate over which play is the more likely to be the missing script. But due to the beauty of certain passages poetry of ALL'S WELL and the complexity of the lyrical writing and themes, ALL'S WELL is judged to be the more likely successor to the title than the earlier MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

Shakespeare's script, then, transitions from its reputation as a "troubled" script (an often applied description which some scholars have given this diffuse stylistic puzzle) and, like a pointillist's painting viewed from a distance, ALL'S WELL/LOVE'S LABOUR'S then emerges as a lovely, delightful theatrical "charm bracelet" -- i.e. many delightful parts linking and combining to form an eye-catching -- and often -- stunning whole.

Viewed from this perspective, ALL'S WELL disparate story lines (fairy tale romanticism versus Freudian battle of the sexes) and disparate styles (lyricism versus low comedy) no longer "battle" each other but actually complement and enhance each other. The disparate, conflicting sections of the script ironically strengthen the play's themes of youth versus old age, boundless passion versus dwindling desires and the perspective of looking ahead versus looking behind.
Boulevard Artistic Director Mark Bucher directs this rarely staged, classical dark comedy. This production is made possible by the generous support of Rosemary and EuGene Miller. Call 414. 744. 5757 to reserve tickets or visit the Ensemble's website at www.boulevardtheatre.com.

Dates and times for
William Shakespeare's rare and wonderful romance
"LOVE'S LABOUR'S WON"
("ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL")

OPENING WEEK:
Tuesday, February 9th @ 7:30 pm PREVIEW
Wednesday, February 10th @ 7:30 pm OPENING
Thursday, February 11th @ 7:30 pm
Friday, February 12th @ 8 pm
Saturday, February 13th @ 8 pm
Sunday, February 14th @ 2:30 pm

WEEK TWO:
Saturday, February 20th @ 8 pm
Sunday, February 21st @ 2:30 pm

WEEK THREE:
Saturday, February 27th @ 8 pm
Sunday, February 28th @ 2:30 pm

WEEK FOUR:
Saturday, March 6th @ 8 pm
Sunday, March 7th @ 2:30 pm

WEEK FIVE:
Thursday, March 11th @ 7:30 pm
Friday, March 12th @ 8 pm
Saturday, March 13th @ 8 pm
Sunday, March 14th @ 2:30 pm (CLOSING SHOW)

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Ticket Prices & Admission Policies:
Standard admission is $20 (Cash or Check, please).
Boulevard does not accept credit cards. Prices may be adjusted during any run/production to reflect demand. Patrons may pre-purchase tickets to "lock in" on the $20 rate of admission.

Parties of five or more may be asked to pre-pay in advance.

New attendance policy effective January 1st, 2010:
Patrons are asked to inform Boulevard of any reduction in their reservation by phoning the theatre two full hours in advance of the scheduled curtain time. Parties who arrive with a reduced number in their reservation (and who did not call Boulevard 2 hours prior to allow for possible resale of now-open seats) will be charged $10 per each "missing patron."

Subscribers to the Boulevard who fail to communicate a reduction will be also be charged the $10 fee.

Boulevard Theatre reserves the right to reserve a portion of seating for any performance for larger groups, student sales, and special needs seating. Boulevard accepts reservations but does not feature assigned seating.

It is strongly suggested that patrons arrive 15 minutes prior to curtain to select optimum seating available. Arriving after that time will impact patrons' ability to sit together and/or select seating most "to their liking."

LATECOMERS CANNOT BE SEATED-THANK YOU.

Boulevard's lobby and theatre open to the public 30 minutes prior to stated curtain time.
Call the Boulevard's 24-hour ticket line at 414.744.5757. to book single tickets or inquire about group sales, corporate bookings and fund-raising group "nights."

Boulevard Theatre especially welcomes group sales and student groups and these sales enjoy heavily discounted rates.

UPCOMING AT THE BOULEVARD:

Patricia Durante's and Betsy Tuxill's charming, fresh delight
IT'S YOUR MOTHER
(March 30-May 9, 2010) (Cast to be announced)

Join Boulevard for this perfect season closer as we produce this charming comedy of the "Mother Versus Daughter" dynamic. The best way to close our 24th season before we sell to STARBUCKS! Milwaukee premiere!
Attention Actresses!: Contact Artistic Director Mark Bucher to communicate your desire to appear in this Milwaukee premiere! (mbucher@juno.com)

RESCHEDULED:
The Boulevard Theatre's DRAMATIC LICENSE: A MASTER CLASS
(Moved from January 2010 to late May, 2010)

Join the Boulevard in this sequel to last June's AUDITION IDOL, which proved to be so popular with both actors and audiences that sheer demand necessitated this acting/auditioning workshop's return (albeit with a few changes).

A dozen actors will learn and profit from a unique public workshop on both auditioning with monologues and auditioning with readings from the script, as well as receiving invaluable advice on acting, presentation, and tips of the trade from a star-studded panel.

Audiences will be thrilled to allowed "backstage" on these invaluable workshops.

Please contact Boulevard Artistic Director Mark Bucher (mbucher@juno.com) to secure audition times, receive more information or discover how to volunteer for other positions within Boulevard's 24th season.