Shakespeare Theatre of NJ Presents 'Amadeus' with Cuccioli

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey continues its epic 2008 Season with the Tony Award-winning play AMADEUS by Peter Shaffer.   AMADEUS begins performances on May 28th and continues through June 22nd and features Tony Award nominee Robert Cuccioli in the role of Salieri.    Performances are Tuesday through Sundays at The Theatre's Main Stage – the F.M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison.   Regular ticket prices are $29-$53.  Discount ticket packages of 6, 5 or 4 shows are also available.  For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

 
The Shakespeare Theatre's production of AMADEUS is made possible by a generous gift from the Pamela and Bill Craven Charitable Fund.  "We are honored and humbled to receive this extraordinary and generous sponsorship gift," said Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte.  "This kind of leadership support is invaluable to our mission of bringing epic-scope world classics to our stage." 

 
Inspired by a short play by Aleksandr Pushkin entitled "Mozart and Salieri," AMADEUS premiered on Broadway in 1980 and went on to win five Tony Awards including Best Play.   The piece derives its title from a pen name that Wolfgang Mozart often used.  It is filled with music by Mozart and his rival, the composer Salieri, who appears as the other major character in Amadeus.     In 1984, Amadeus was released as a feature film starring F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce.  The film won 8 eight Oscars including Best Picture and Best Writing for playwright Peter Shaffer.  

 
AMADEUS is an intriguing, fictionalized account of the mysterious relationship between the great celebrated young Mozart, and his contemporary Salieri.   While Salieri considers the great composer a genius, he believes he is flawed beyond redemption by his crude and juvenile demeanor.    Driven by zeal and ravaged with jealously, Salieri plots to silence the great composer and destroy his character and reputation.  

 
The 17 member cast is led by Broadway and Shakespeare Theatre veteran Robert Cuccioli in the role of Salieri.   Cuccioli received a Tony Award nomination, and the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards for the Broadway hit sensation Jekyll and Hyde.   Recently, he appeared in the critically acclaimed Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris off-Broadway.  Other Broadway and off-Broadway credits include Javert in Les Miserables, And The World Goes 'Round, Temporary Help, and Enter The Guardsman.  At The Shakespeare Theatre, he has played the title roles in Julius Caesar and Macbeth and appeared in Carnival, Antony and Cleopatra and Enter The Guardsman.   Locally, Cuccioli has appeared in Guys and Dolls, Funny Girl and Oklahoma among others at Paper Mill Playhouse; and The School for Scandal at McCarter Theatre.  He has also appeared in Hamlet at The Shakespeare Theatre Company, DC and in Antony and Cleopatra at The Guthrie.   He is featured on the cast records of Jekyll and Hyde, And The World Goes 'Round, Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, and The New Picasso. 

The Opening Night of AMADEUS, on Saturday, May 31st at 7 p.m. will feature a trio from the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey performing Mozart and Salieri pieces both pre-show and following the performance, during the Opening Night reception.   The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, founded by Conductor/Music Director Robert W. Butts in 1996, is North Jersey's only community orchestra specializing in the baroque and classical music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.  The orchestra's larger repertoire includes works from all eras – but the core selections are derived from Baroque and Classical periods, ranging from the early sounds of Monteverdi to the nearly Romantic sounds of Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven.  Part of the orchestra's mission is to include important works by significant composers not as familiar to contemporary audiences.   For more information about the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, visit www.baroqueorchestra.org.

Tickets to AMADEUS the entire Shakespeare Theatre season are now on sale.   Discount ticket packages offering a choice of 6, 5, or 4 plays at reduced prices are also available.  For tickets or more information, call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.   Single tickets include a $1 facility fee, not subject to discount.

Preview performances of AMADEUS are Wednesday, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday and Friday, May 1 and 2 at 8:00 p.m., offering the thrill of seeing a work-in-progress before the show officially opens.  Preview tickets are $29 and $33.

 
Additional performances are Tuesdays and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday through Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. (excluding Opening Night at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 31); Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 p.m.; and Sundays, at 7:00 p.m.    Ticket prices range from $38 to $53 depending upon seating location and performance day and time.  Single tickets prices include a $1 facility fee, not subject to discount.   Groups of 10 or more save up to 25% off the regular ticket price. 

 
Patrons can save up to 45% off regular ticket prices by purchasing discount Ticket Packages that allow ticket buyers to select six, five or four plays of their choice at discount prices.   Ticket Packages also offer additional benefits such as discounts on additional tickets and free and flexible ticket exchange privileges.  Patrons may also select FlexPasses -- discounted vouchers that are redeemed for tickets during the season.   Ticket packages start at $72.

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

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