Nashville Shakespeare Festival Presents SHAKESPEARE'S CASE Jan. 13-30

William Shakespeare must defend his works' relevancy for the 21st Century in Shakespeare's Case, the Nashville Shakespeare Festival's 2011 winter production. This original play runs Jan. 13-30 at Belmont University's Troutt Theater.

Shakespeare goes on trial and the audience is summoned to jury duty in this humorous play about an author's defense of his legacy. Shakespeare's Case was written by Nan Gurley, Denice Hicks and Claire Syler. The production is directed by Beki Baker, the festival's education director, and stars Nashville favorites Nan Gurley as prosecuting attorney, Denice Hicks as judge, Jon Royal as complaining witness and the inimitable Brian Russell as Shakespeare.

"Whether your only knowledge of Shakespeare is strictly from high school English or you are a true aficionado, this show is a lot of fun for the audience," said Hicks, artistic director for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival.

The contemporary courtroom drama opens with an English professor, who is the complaining witness, calling for the works of the Bard to be permanently removed from the school curriculum. The professor claims that the plays have become irrelevant and inaccessible to his students.

In a surprise appearance, Shakespeare takes the stand to defend his works. The famed playwright pleads his case, using his own language, characters and plays. He even pulls familiar props and costumes out of his traveling case as he builds his defense. In total, Shakespeare's Case references 27 of the Bard's plays, making this a humorous and informative introduction to his works that is designed for all ages.

Public performances are scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. There will be an opening performance by magician Jason Michaels.

Shakespeare's Case, the festival's fourth annual winter production at the Troutt, is funded in part by the Metro Nashville Arts Commission and the Tennessee Arts Commission.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 615-852-6732 or click on www.nashvilleshakes.org.

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