Shakespeare & Company has announced The Conservatory at Shakespeare & Company's winter production of King John, directed by longtime Company artist, and star of this summer's critically acclaimed production of Cassandra Speaks, Tod Randolph. Now in its sixth year, the Conservatory, a 13-week professional actor training program includes 10 - 16 promising actors from across the country and around the globe. This year's program features a group of 16 who will join forces in Shakespeare's rarely produced King John for three special performances in the Tina Packer Playhouse.
Christmas is right around the corner, and so is Shakespeare & Company's annual production of David Sedaris' irreverent Christmas memoir, The Santaland Diaries. Once again directed by Artistic Director Tony Simotes, this will be the third and final year Shakespeare & Company calls on an actor to don the regulation pointy-toed socks. This year, Shakespeare & Company welcomes longtime Company member David Joseph Hansen to play Sedaris' less-than-merry autobiographical self, Crumpet the Elf.
Christmas is right around the corner, and so is Shakespeare & Company's annual production of David Sedaris' irreverent Christmas memoir, The Santaland Diaries. Once again directed by Artistic Director Tony Simotes, this will be the third and final year Shakespeare & Company calls on an actor to don the regulation pointy-toed socks. This year, Shakespeare & Company welcomes longtime Company member David Joseph Hansen to play Sedaris' less-than-merry autobiographical self, Crumpet the Elf.
Shakespeare & Company, Artistic Director Tony Simotes and the Peck School of the Arts are pleased to announce that Dennis Krausnick, Shakespeare & Company Director of Training and star of this summer's acclaimed main stage production of The Tragedy of King Lear, will reprise the role of the aging monarch in a production at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). This production of The Tragedy of King Lear will also be directed by Rebecca Holderness, a professor at the Peck School, and is part of the university's 'Year of the Arts' celebration, which recognizes the 50th anniversary of the Peck School of the Arts.
Tickets for Shakespeare & Company's 35th Season go on sale today. The 2012-2013 season is set to include an appearance by Olympia Dukakis in an all-female version of 'The Tempest.' "From the perspective of someone who witnessed first hand the beginnings of our Company," says Artistic Director Tony Simotes. "It is astonishing to look back at what we've achieved. I am proud to say that we are at the forefront of actor training and education programs in terms of objective and scope. It is a tremendous privilege to be Shakespeare & Company's Artistic Director during this exciting time, and I feel that we've compiled a riveting and daring list of productions this season that not only reflect the best of what Shakespeare & Company has to offer, but will take us to the next level.
Shakespeare & Company has just announced their 35th Season with is set to include an appearance by Olypia Dukakis in an all-female version of 'The Tempest.' "From the perspective of someone who witnessed first hand the beginnings of our Company," says Artistic Director Tony Simotes. "It is astonishing to look back at what we've achieved. I am proud to say that we are at the forefront of actor training and education programs in terms of objective and scope. It is a tremendous privilege to be Shakespeare & Company's Artistic Director during this exciting time, and I feel that we've compiled a riveting and daring list of productions this season that not only reflect the best of what Shakespeare & Company has to offer, but will take us to the next level.
Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Tony Simotes proudly welcomed a packed house at the benefit performance of Broadway in the Berkshires on Monday, August 15th at 6:00pm in the Company's Founders' Theatre. The event raised over $60,000, which will go towards Shakespeare & Company's internationally-acclaimed Education and Training Programs. Producer and Company member, Deborah Grausman (actor and founder of Berkshire Musical Theater Workshop) assembled an all-star cast and first-rate creative team for this spectacular, one-night event. Broadway's Chip Zien (Into the Woods-the original Baker, Les Miserables, The Country Girl, People in The Picture, Falsettos, Grand Hotel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Boys from Syracuse, etc.) was the host. Director Sam Scalamoni (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Lestat) and Music Director Paul Staroba (A L ittle Night Music, Next to Normal , Grey Gardens ) headed up the creative team.
Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Tony Simotes proudly announces the benefit performance of Broadway in the Berkshires Monday, August 15th at 6:00pm, Founders' Theatre, 70 Kemble Street , Lenox , MA . Proceeds will go to Shakespeare & Company's internationally-acclaimed Education and Training Programs. Producer and Company member, Deborah Grausman (actor and founder of Berkshire Musical Theater Workshop) has assembled an all-star cast and first-rate creative team for this spectacular, not to be missed, one-night event. Broadway's Chip Zien (Into the Woods-the original Baker, Les Miserables, The Country Girl, People in The Picture, Falsettos, Grand Hotel, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Boys from Syracuse, etc.) will host. Director Sam Scalamoni (Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Lestat) and Music Director Paul Staroba (A Little Night Music, Next to Normal, Grey Gardens) will head up the creative team.
Berkshires 4Theatre, a collaborative platform that was formed two years ago by the four major Berkshire County theaters -- Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Shakespeare & Company and Williamstown Theatre Festival -- announces the Berkshires 4Theatre Passport Program.
Shakespeare & Company's new Artistic Director Tony Simotes today announced news of a hugely successful and near record-breaking box office for its 2010/11 season, along with a sneak preview of his exhilarating and ambitious line-up for the Company's 34th Performance Season (his second as A.D.). Productions for the upcoming season include 3 Shakespeare shows, Tina Packer's new series Women of Will: The Complete Journey (Parts I-V), the return of the side-splittingly funny The Hound of the Baskervilles and The Santaland Diaries, and a handful of other equally exciting titles, which have been carefully chosen to round out the season. This season will feature several veteran S&Co. actors and directors, including Jason Asprey, Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Kevin G. Coleman, Jonathan Croy, Jonathan Epstein, Nigel Gore, Malcolm Ingram, Dennis Krausnick, Corinna May, Annette Miller, Tony Simotes, Daniela Varon and Kristin Wold, who will join the Company's roster of talented artists celebrating its 34th Season.The 197-seat Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, part of the Bernstein Center for the Performing Arts, will open the Company's summer season with a high octane line-up of shows featuring Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer and her irreverent Women of Will: The Complete Journey (Parts I-V). Eric Tucker returns to direct Packer and acting partner Nigel Gore in W.O.W, which previewed to sold-out houses during its world premier and limited run in 2010. Up next is British playwright Shelagh Stephenson's heartwarming and poignant comedy The Memory of Water, directed by Kevin G. Coleman (A Winter's Tale 2010, The Ladies Man 2008, Rough Crossing 2006, Director of Education and Company actor) and featuring audience favorites Elizabeth Aspenlieder, Corinna May, Annette Miller and Kristin Wold (others TBA). The popular Lunch Box Shakespeare series presents one of Shakespeare's earliest comedies with Thedirected by Dennis Krausnick (Director of Training, Company actor and playwright) and Two Gentlemen of Verona featuring the energetic Performance Intern Company.
Tony Simotes, Shakespeare & Company's Artistic Director, today announces the full lineup for the summer portion of S&Co.'s 33rd season, his first as Artistic Director. Joining the previously announced Mainstage titles is a special addition to the Founders' Theatre lineup, plus the exciting programming at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theater and key casting info for the summer season. In addition to previous casting announcements, award-winning long-time Company actor Jonathan Epstein returns to S&Co. after a six-year absence to join the cast of The Winter's Tale in the role of Leontes. Simotes also welcomes back Director Daniela Varon after a five-year absence, who will direct Sea Marks in the Bernstein this season.
At the request of Shakespeare & Company, an independent financial study of the Company has been performed by the Nonprofit Finance Fund under the auspices of the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Now in its 32nd season, S&Co. is currently facing an unprecedented time of financial stress. Though the national economic downturn has indeed played a role, this stress has arisen, in large part, because of the particular pressures flowing from the Company's role as the provider of a unique and extensive scope of year-round services, and its responsibilities as the owner and steward of 33 acres in historic downtown Lenox.
The US premiere of THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES, a Sherlock Holmes adaptation, is now playing through November 8th at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Mass. The show transferred from London's West End for an American premiere at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre.
Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Tony Simotes today announced the titles for the popular, 15th annual Studio Festival of Plays. The annual Festival is a mini-marathon of plays new to the Company running ONE DAY ONLY in Founders' Theatre on Monday, September 7 beginning at 11:30 am and running through 11pm. Seven productions featuring Company actors and special guest actors will be presented throughout the day as works-in-progress and staged readings. A special Benefit reading of William Bigelow's new play, Leap Year, featuring Olympia Dukakis and directed by Simotes, will kick off the Festival series a week early on Monday, August 31st at 7:00pm .
Shakespeare & Company will present a staged reading of LEAP YEAR, featuring Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis. The reading takes place Monday, August 31 at 7pm.
Shakespeare & Company will present a staged reading of LEAP YEAR, featuring Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis. The reading takes place Monday, August 31 at 7pm.
Shakespeare & Company Artistic Director Tony Simotes today announced the titles for the popular, 15th annual Studio Festival of Plays. The annual Festival is a mini-marathon of plays new to the Company running ONE DAY ONLY in Founders' Theatre on Monday, September 7 beginning at 11:30 am and running through 11pm. Seven productions featuring Company actors and special guest actors will be presented throughout the day as works-in-progress and staged readings. A special Benefit reading of William Bigelow's new play, Leap Year, featuring Olympia Dukakis and directed by Simotes, will kick off the Festival series a week early on Monday, August 31st at 7:00pm .
