Orlando Shakespeare Theater to Host 7th Annual Mock Trial, 2/24

Orlando Shakespeare Theater in Partnership with UCF will hold its 7th Annual Mock Trial: Falstaff v. The Merry Housewives of Windsor on Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center. Based on Shakespeare's laugh out loud comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor, the Margeson Theater will transform into an interactive courtroom as Mistresses Ford and Page are put on the stand, charged with the false imprisonment of the opportunistic old bachelor, John Falstaff. Tickets ($25 - Regular; $15 - Students) are available by calling (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at www.orlandoshakes.org, or in person at 812 East Rollins Street.

The Theater's 7th Annual Mock Trial features actors from Orlando Shakes' current production of The Merry Wives of Windsor (playing through March 7, 2015). Following the audience's advisory verdict, a panel of five special guest judges will announce the final ruling. Judges include Moira (The Philips Phile); Julie Wolf (Wells Fargo); Phil Rawlins (Orlando City Soccer Club); Scott Maxwell (Orlando Sentinel); and Belvin Perry, Jr. (Morgan & Morgan).

Kimberly A. Ashby, Partner at Akerman LLP, returns as an advocate, joined by newcomer, Nicholas A. Shannin, Esq. In addition to being a Board Certified Appellate Attorney at Shannin Law Firm, P.A., Mr. Shannin currently serves as the President of the Orange County Bar Association.

"We're very excited to present the 2015 Mock Trial, based on Orlando Shakespeare Theater's 1950s sitcom-inspired production of The Merry Wives of Windsor," said Mock Trial Committee Leader Cory L. Taylor, Partner at Roetzel & Andress, LPA. "This year's mock trial characters will have audiences--and our advocates--rolling with laughter!"

The public event also includes an opportunity to mingle with leading members of Central Florida's legal, business, and artistic communities in a pre-show cocktail hour. Starting at 6:00 p.m., all ticket holders are invited to enjoy free light hors d'oeuvres and one complimentary beer, wine, or non-alcoholic beverage.

Since 2009, Orlando Shakespeare Theater has hosted mock trials that explore contemporary legal thought using classic plays as their template. Past mock trials have considered whether Shakespeare's Hamlet was indeed insane when he killed Polonius, and addressed a contentious Darcy v. Wickham defamation lawsuit based on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

The 7th Annual Mock Trial is supported by Wells Fargo. Additional support is provided by Roetzel & Andress and First American Title.

Orlando Shakespeare Theater is supported by United Arts of Central Florida, host of power2give.org/centralflorida, and the collaborative Campaign for the Arts. Orlando Shakespeare Theater is also sponsored in part by the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs, and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture. This project is also funded in part by Orange County Government through the Arts & Cultural Affairs Program.