Quintessence Extends AS YOU LIKE IT & RICHARD II Through 11/16

Quintessence Theatre Group has launched its fifth season of progressive classic theatre with an all-male Shakespeare repertory: AS YOU LIKE IT presented in rotating repertory with RICHARD II. Bringing together the best professional actors and designers from Philadelphia and across the country, Artistic Director Alexander Burns leads this collective of artists on a mission to ignite the classics through visceral, actor-focused and text-driven productions. Both productions have been extended with additional performances added November 13 - 16. AS YOU LIKE IT will run through Friday, November 14 @ 8pm. RICHARD II will run through Sunday, November 16 @ 3pm. All performances are at the Sedgwick Theater, 7137 Germantown Ave in Mt Airy, Philadelphia, 19119. To purchase tickets visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 215.987.4450.

AS YOU LIKE IT

October 1 - November 14, 2014; Opening Night: October 4, 2014

A romance, a rollicking comedy of intrigue, disguise and miracles... Quintessence returns to all-male Shakespeare to present its first Shakespearean comedy. Quintessence ensemble members Alexander Harvey as Rosalind and Sean Close as Touchstone will be joined by Alan Brincks as Orlando, Matt Tallman as Oliver, Andrew Betz as Celia and James-Patrick Davis as Jaques. Come escape to the Forest of Arden for a theatrical delight that will make you believe in the power of love and laughter, just as you like it.

RICHARD II

October 9 - November 16, 2014; Opening Night: October 18, 2014

The usurpation and regicide of the poet King Richard II begins a hundred year cycle of uncertainty and violence in England. The political thriller you have never seen... Led by actors James Patrick Davis as Richard II, Stephen Novelli as John of Gaunt, Paul Hebron as the Duke of York and Lee Cortopassi as Bullingbrook, Quintessence will bring to the stage Shakespeare's greatest verse poetry and question the prerequisites of leadership, the power of language over force, and the existence of God.

Now in its fifth season, Quintessence continues to work towards the establishment of an acting ensemble and a rotating repertory at the historic Sedgwick Theater in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia. As Quintessence Theatre's home, the Sedgwick Theater, a 1928 art deco movie palace designed by William Lee, will regain its place as a jewel in Philadelphia's cultural landscape.

In Season V, Quintessence will expand its offering to five productions of epic classics for the contemporary stage. The season will also include Simon Reade's adaptation of Lewis Carroll's ALICE's ADVENTURES IN WONDERLAND, Steven Berkoff's adaptation of Kafka's THE METAMORPHOSIS, directed by Applied Mechanich's artistic director Rebecca Wright, and a new adaptation of Dumas' THE THREE MUSKETEERS.

Quintessence Theatre Group is a nominee for the 2014 Wolfson Award for an Evolving Theatre, which recognizes, promotes and rewards the creativity, growth and excellence of evolving theatres within the Greater Philadelphia community.

AS YOU LIKE IT plays October 1 - November 14. A post-show talkbacks with the cast and director will take place on Thursday, October 30. RICHARD II plays October 9 - November 16. A post-show talkback with the cast and director will take place on Sunday, October 26.

Performances take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8pm, and Sundays at 3pm. There will also be two special Saturday matinees at 2pm so that both productions can be experienced in one day. Please check the repertory performance schedule at www.QuintessenceTheatre.org for exact performance times and dates.

Tickets are $34 - $27 general admission, $25 for seniors (65 and over), $15 for youth (21 and under). Group discounts and weekday student matinees are available. Season V Subscription packages are still available. To purchase tickets or subscriptions, visit www.QuintessenceTheatre.org or call 1.215.987.4450.