Southwest Shakespeare Company Opens Season with TITUS ANDRONICUS, 9/9-24

Southwest Shakespeare Company to open its 18th season with Titus mAndronicus, opening on September 9th in Mesa, AZ.

TITUS ANDRONICUS: For the first time in SSC's 18-year history we present Titus Andronicus, the young virtuoso Bard's take on the popular revenge tragedies of his day. This portrait of a society torn apart was one of Shakespeare's most popular plays during his lifetime and is a harrowing, non stop thrill ride from start to finish. Often-maligned, even called "Shakespeare's B-Movie," this savage comedy has flashes of black humor, beautiful imagery, and stylized violence that make this portrait of an empire in decline uniquely entertaining. This production is a continuation of SSC's completion of Shakespeare's canon, and another Arizona Professional Premiere.

TITUS ANDRONICUS is produced by Southwest Shakespeare Company, previewing September 8, 2011, and the show runs September 9 - 24, 2011, in the Anita Farnsworth Studio Theatre, Mesa Arts Center, One East Main Street, Mesa (Center and Main Street; half-mile east of Country Club Drive). Performances are Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30 p.m. with additional performances / matinees: Sun, September 18 at 3 p.m. and Sat, September 24 at 2 p.m.

TITUS ANDRONICUS is Shakespeare's earliest and most violent tragedy, and was written sometime during 1588-1593 and is among his earliest writings. Shakespeare was a young, aspiring writer trying to make a name for himself when he penned the play, and it was an instant success, being one of his most profitable titles during his lifetime. The play offers roles that have been played by some of the greatest actors in history, including Laurence Olivier, Anthony Hopkins, Brian Cox, VIivian Leigh, Anthony Quayle, Anna Calder-Marshall, Janet Suzman, overseen by directors such as Peter Brook, Trevor Nunn, and Julie Taymor.

Ticket prices: Adults - $33.50; Seniors/Students w/ID - $25; Children - $12.50; Matinees - $25; Student
Rush with ID - $12.50. Call the Box Office at 480-644-6500. Group rates at 602-535-1202.

Artistic Director Jared Sakren says, "This spectacularly imaginative staging, by David Barker, is the only way to see this play. This version will move you, shock you, and absorb you in wonder. We are thrilled to be adding this title to our production history as we continue in our quest to complete Shakespeare's canon."