Photo Flash: First Look at LOVE'S LABOR'S LOST at Quintessence Theatre Group

Quintessence Theatre Group continues producing progressive classic theatre with its spring 2017 repertory productions of William Shakespeare's Love's Labor's Lost and John Ford's The Broken Heart. All performances are at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave., Mt. Airy, Philadelphia, 19119. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast of Love's Labor's Lost in action below!

Two of drama's greatest romances, performed in rotation by an ensemble of fourteen actors, will explore the effects of romantic desire on the human mind and body. By juxtaposing Shakespeare's high comedy with Ford's bloody revenge tragedy, Quintessence seeks to enrapture Philadelphia audiences with the power of language and love.

Love's Labor's Lost: The King of Navarre and his entourage swear off women and promise to cloister themselves for three years to enrich their minds. The following day, the Princess of France and her retinue arrive with business for the King. Can the gentlemen and their oath survive the intelligence and beauty of their newly arrived female guests? William Shakespeare's early romantic comedy explodes with wit and revelry and includes some of his greatest romantic poetry.

Quintessence favorite Josh Carpenter (Hamlet, Iago, Mephistopheles) will transform into the quixotic Spanish soldier Don Armado. After three seasons away, John Williams (Sganarelle, Alceste) returns from his celebrated off-Broadway performance in Richard Strand's Butler as the witty royal best-mate Berowne. Quintessence ensemble members Mattie Hawinson (Lavinia Mannon, Happy Prince) and Lee Cortopassi (Bolingbroke) take on the royal couple, and Dana Kreitz makes her Quintessence debut as the resplendent Rosaline.

The Love and Longing Repertory will be directed by Quintessence artistic director Alexander Burns, with lighting by David Sexton and stage combat by Ian Rose. The costumes for Love's Labor's Lost will be designed by Christina Lorraine Bullard.

To purchase tickets, visit www.Quintessencetheatre.org or call 215.987.4450.

Photo Credit: Shawn May

Christopher Garofalo (as Dumain), John Williams (as Berowne), Lee Cortopassi (as Ferdinand), Ashton Carter (as Longaville)
Daniel Miller (as Costard), Kristin Devine (as Maria), Mattie Hawkinson (as The Princess), Dana Kreitz (as Rosaline), Aneesa Neibauer (as Katherine), Michael Gamache (as Boyet)
Lee Cortopassi (as Ferdinand), Christopher Garofalo (as Dumain), Ashton Carter (as Longaville), John William (as Berowne), Daniel Miller (as Costard in background), Michael Gamache (as Boyet), Kristin Devine (as Maria), Dana Kreitz (as Rosaline), Aneesa Neibauer (as Katherine), Mattie Hawkinson (as The Princess), Michael Gamache (as Boyet)
Ashton Carter (as Longaville), John William (as Berowne), Lee Cortopassi (as Ferdinand), Christopher Garofalo (as Dumain)
Gregory Isaac (as Holofernes), Michael Gamache (as Dull), Daniel Miller (as Costard), Josh Carpenter (as Don Armado), John Basiulis (as Sir Nathaniel), Josiah Jacoby (as Moth)
Ebony Pullum (as Jaquenetta), John Basiulis (as Sir Nathaniel), Gregory Isaac (as Holofernes)
John Williams (as Berowne), Mattie Hawkinson (as the Princess), Lee Cortopassi (as Ferdinand), Michael Gamache (as Boyet), John Basiulis (as Sir Nathaniel), Aneesa Neibauer (as Katherine), Christopher Garofalo (as Dumain), Gregory Isaac (as Holofernes), Kirstin Devine (as Maria), Ashton Carter (as Longaville), Josiah Jacoby (as Moth). On the ground, Daniel Miller (as Costard), Josh Carpenter (as Don Armado).
John Williams (as Berowne), Michael Gamache (as Boyet), Dana Kreitz (as Rosaline)