African-American Shakespeare Company Announces 2013-14 Season

San Francisco's African-American Shakespeare Company has announced the lineup for its 19th season. The season marks African-American Shakespeare Company's fourth season under the artistic leadership of acclaimed Bay Area actor and director L. Peter Callender.

The season opens in November with Diablo Actors' Ensemble's 2011 production of Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning play DRIVING MISS DAISY. Directed by Scott Fryer, the production features the original DAE cast, L. Peter Callender, Ann Kendrick, and Tim Beagley. African-American Shakespeare Company ushers in the holidays in December with an enchanting production of CINDERELLA; this new take on the timeless fairytale has become a seasonal favorite for families and children of all ages. The season continues in March with Euripides' tragedy of passion and revenge, MEDEA, directed by Denise Woods. Closing the season in May is William Shakespeare's quintessential romantic comedy MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, directed by L. Peter Callender. Productions will be staged at the Buriel Clay Theater at the African American Art and Culture Complex in San Francisco. Subscriptions for the 2013-14 season go on sale May 4; single tickets on sale September 1. For tickets and information, the public may visit African-AmericanShakes.org or call 1-800-838-3006.

"Nothing excites me more than language beautifully spoken by actors on stage," said African-American Shakespeare Company Artistic Director L. Peter Callender. "Whether contemporary, Greek, or Shakespearean, live theater has the potential to enlighten and transport audiences to distant places, and tap into their hidden feelings and emotions. When I look at putting together a season, I consider works that will challenge our actors and designers, but also works that will challenge our audiences, and our 19th season will do just that. The season examines issues of race and prejudice, jealousy and revenge, as well as provides a little humor, dance, and song. This season will be a feast for the eyes, the ears, and the soul."

In chronological order, African-American Shakespeare Company's 2013-14 season is as follows:

DRIVING MISS DAISY
By Alfred Uhry
November 2 -17, 2013
Press Opening: November 2

San Francisco's African-American Shakespeare Company opens its 2013-14 season with Diablo Actors' Ensemble's 2011 production of Alfred Uhry's DRIVING MISS DAISY. Winner of the 1988 Pulitzer Prize, DRIVING MISS DAISY is a timeless meditation on race relations in America told through the complex relationship between an elderly Southern Jewish woman and her black chauffeur. Having recently demolished another car, Daisy Werthan is informed by her son that she must rely on the services of a chauffeur, a proud, soft-spoKen Black man named Hoke whom she immediately regards with disdain and who, in turn, is equally unimpressed with her. In a series of absorbing scenes spanning 25 years, the two develop an unlikely bond despite their mutual differences, growing closer to, and more dependent upon, one another.

DRIVING MISS DAISY originally opened Off Broadway in 1987 at Playwrights Horizons starring Dana Ivey and Morgan Freeman; the play was made into a film starring Jessica Tandy, who won a Best Actress Oscar, and Morgan Freeman, and was recently revived on Broadway in 2010 starring Vanessa Redgrave and James Earl Jones, marking its Broadway debut.

Scott Fryer directs this warm-hearted, humorous, and affecting study, featuring DAE's original cast, L. Peter Callender, Ann Kendrick, and Tim Beagley, in this reprisal for African-American Shakespeare Company.

CINDERELLA
December 7 - 22, 2013
Press Opening: December 7

San Francisco's African-American Shakespeare Company continues its 19th season with an enchanting production of CINDERELLA. This timeless tale, brought to whimsical, magical life just in time for the holidays, is an uplifting re-telling of the classic fairytale, featuring all of the pageantry, hilarity, and charm of the original, but with a soulful twist. This heartwarming story finds Cinderella, a young, beautiful dreamer, toiling away as a lowly scullery maid for her evil stepmother and stepsisters. With the help of a fabulous Fairy Godmother who makes the magic happen, Cinderella finds her Prince Charming and learns that anything is possible, even miracles.

MEDEA
By Euripides
March 8 - 30, 2014
Press Opening: March 8

Passion. Love. Vengeance. African-American Shakespeare Company continues its 19th season with MEDEA, Euripides' infamous Greek tragedy about a jilted wife exacting the ultimate revenge on a cheating husband. After a long series of trials and adventures, Greek hero Jason has abandoned his wife, Medea, along with their two children, in the hopes of advancing his station by marrying the daughter of King Creon. Jason's abandonment of his family crushes Medea, driving her to override her maternal instincts and curse the existence of their two children, and carry out an unimaginable quest for justice. Denise Woods, former voice and speech instructor at California Institute of the Arts, directs.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
By William Shakespeare
May 3 - 25, 2014
Press Opening: May 3

Closing African-American Shakespeare Company's 19th season is William Shakespeare's glorious comedy of love delayed, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING. Celebrating the joy of love and the power of redemption, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING chronicles the clever banter and sincere affection of two pairs of lovers, Benedick and Beatrice, and Claudio and Hero. Benedick and Beatrice are engaged in a very "merry war" in which they both proclaim their disdain of love. In contrast, Claudio and Hero are a sweet young couple who are practically rendered speechless by their love for one another. While Benedick and Beatrice are tricked into confessing their love, Claudio is tricked into rejecting Hero at the altar. Despite the villainy and betrayal, all ends well, proving that love does indeed conquer all. African-American Shakespeare Company Artistic Director L. Peter Callender directs a modern take on this Bard classic.

African-American Shakespeare Company was introduced in 1994 to create an opportunity and a venue for actors of color to hone their skills and talent in mastering some of the world's greatest classical roles. The company is dedicated to producing classic stage works from an African-American cultural perspective, providing opportunities and accessibility for minority artists and their communities to view these works in a manner that is inclusive of their cultural heritage. African-American Shakespeare Company has produced over 30 productions, toured to over 97 schools, and reached over 105,000 patrons through its main stage productions and arts education program.

For subscriptions ($21-94.50), tickets ($10-35), and information, the public can call 1-800-838-3006 or visit
www.African-AmericanShakes.org. Subscriptions for the 2013-14 season go on sale May 4; single tickets on sale September 1.

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