Casting Announced for NJ Shakespeare's 'Bald Soprano'

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey will present Eugene Ionesco's absurdist classic The Bald Soprano from August 7th through the 26th.

"Inspired by Ionesco's attempt to learn English by repeating phrases like 'the ceiling is up, the floor is down,' and with William Shakespeare as one of his favorite authors, The Bald Soprano is filled with improbable language and scenarios, and fast-paced, quick-witted and seemingly extemporaneous dialogue. For Ionesco, this play was his attack on conformity and on society's lack of ability to truly communicate. As a testament to the play's unique appeal and continuing relevance in an electronically dependant society that is developing its own instant message language of emoticons and anagrams, The Bald Soprano has been performing continually, each evening at the Theatre de la Huchette in Paris since 1957 -- a world-record run," state press materials.

"Performed in one, fast-paced, hilarious act, each performance will be followed by a question and answer session with members of the cast and artistic staff."

Playing Mr. Smith, an Englishman who enjoys his English pipe and reading his English newspaper in English silence, is Shakespeare Theatre newcomer Matthew Floyd-Miller (Not About Nightingales and The Invention of Love).  Kelly McAndrew (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof) plays Mrs. Smith. Shakespeare Theatre veterans Mary Bacon and Greg Jackson play Mr. and Mrs. Martin, who arrive for dinner at the Smith's only to discover that dinner has been eaten. Angela Pierce (Public Theater King Lear, Broadway's Heartbreak House) plays Mary, the maid who believes herself to be Sherlock Holmes. Returning to The Shakespeare Theatre for his second season is Walker Jones (Shakespeare Theatre The Winter's Tale) to play The Fire Chief.

Matthew Arbour returns to The Shakespeare Theatre after directing the hit comedy The Rivals last year. Arbour has also directed regionally at Two River Theater Company, Washington Ensemble Theater, Portland Stage Company (Maine), the Hangar Theatre, New Jersey Repertory, Theatre at Monmouth, Penobscot Theatre Company, Maine Shakespeare Festival, Boston Playwrights' Theatre and the University of Southern Maine. He regularly serves as a script judge for the Princess Grace Award for New Dramatists, and is an active member of the First Look Theatre Company at NYU, a Usual Suspect of New York Theatre Workshop, and a Drama League Directing Fellow. Matthew holds an M.F.A. in directing from the University of Washington in Seattle.

The production will feature sets by Mimi Lien, lighting by Tyler Micoleau, costumes by Erin Murphy and sound by Rob Kaplowitz, with fight choreography by Rick Sordelet serves as fight director.

Preview performances of The Bald Soprano are Tuesday, August 7 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday and Thursday, August 8 and 9 at 8:00 p.m. Previews offer the thrill of seeing a work-in-progress before the show officially opens. Preview tickets are $28 to $32. Additional performances are Tuesdays at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. (excluding Opening Night at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 11); Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m., beginning August 12; and Sundays, at 7:00 p.m. Ticket prices range from $28 to $52 depending upon seating location and performance day and time. Groups of 10 or more save up to 25% off the regular ticket price.

The 45th Anniversary Main Stage Season also includes the rarely produced, Pulitzer Prize-winning The Time of Your Life by William Saroyan (September 4 – 30); Shakespeare's Henry VI: Blood & Roses adapted by Brian B. Crowe (Oct. 9 – Nov. 11); and the family classic tale The Blue Bird by Maurice Maeterlinck; adapted by Bonnie J. Monte (Nov. 27 – December 31).

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Main Stage, the 308-seat F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre, is conveniently located in Madison at 36 Madison Avenue (Route 124) at Lancaster Road (on the Drew University campus), just minutes from routes 287, 78 and 10. Parking is free. The F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is barrier free with access into the theatre via a ramp and elevator access to all floors. Wheelchair seating and transfer seating is available. Braille and large print programs are available. Infrared listening devices are available free of charge. Some performances are audio described, captioned and sign-language interpreted. Contact the theatre for more information. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

Photo of Angela Pierce by Linda Lenzi

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