Marin Shakespeare Company to Present THE TAMING, TWELFTH NIGHT and OTHELLO this Summer

Marin Shakespeare Company, Marin County's professional, and award-winning outdoor summer Shakespeare festival, announces its 2016 season - where nothing is what it seems and everyone's a fool for love.

Presented under the summer stars, Marin Shakespeare's 27th season begins with Bay Area playwright Lauren Gunderson's smart and funny "The Taming," Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" and "Othello." The 2016 season will feature a non-repertory schedule, with designated performance runs for each production.

Amid the absurdity of the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, the timing is perfect for Lauren Gunderson's "The Taming," which dishes up liberty, justice and comedy for all! Robert Currier directs this modern political farce starring Tristan Cunningham, Monica Ho and Katie Rubin as three intrepid women with very different political views.
Performances are June 24 to July 17. Opening night is June 25.

Shakespeare's gender-bending comedy "Twelfth Night" explores the desires of love amongst moonstruck eccentrics who fill the seaside island of Illyria with music, poetry, mischief and mirth. Lesley Schisgall Currier directs this hilarious comedy about shipwrecked siblings, mistaken identities and romance. The cast features Elena Wright as Viola, Kathryn Smith-McGlynn as Olivia, Dean Linnard as Orsino, Kerel Rennacker as Sebastian, Daren Kelley as Sir Toby Belch and Michael J. Hume as Sir Andrew Aguecheek.
Performances are July 22 to Aug. 21. Opening night is July 29.

A complex and powerful tale of betrayal, jealousy and manipulation, "Othello" follows the tragic transformation of a brave and honorable Moorish general driven to rage and regret when betrayed by his opportunistic and vengeful friend and ensign. Robert Currier directs Shakespeare's classic tragedy featuring the stage debut of Dameion Brown as Othello with Cassidy Brown as Iago, Luisa Frasconi as Desdemona and Elena Wright as Emilia.
Performances are Aug. 26 to Sept. 25. Opening night is Sept. 2.

Performances are presented outdoors Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at Forest Meadows Amphitheatre, located on the campus of Dominican University of California, 890 Belle Avenue, San Rafael, Calif.

The amphitheater opens one hour prior to show time for picnicking. Audiences are encouraged to bring picnics or purchase snacks at the Theatre Cafe. Warm clothing, jackets and blankets are recommended for evening performances. Parking is free.

Season tickets are $81 general; $69 senior; and $30 youth and include admission to one performance of each play, reserved seating and complimentary seat cushion.

Admission at the door is $35 general; $32 senior; and $10 youth (25 and under). Preview performances are $12 per person. "Pay Your Age" is offered to audience members between the ages of 26 and 34 when purchasing tickets at the Box Office on the day of any performance, with valid identification. Marin Shakespeare Company also offers those 65 and over half-price tickets at Senior Matinees and those ages 18 and under admitted free at Family Matinee performances.

Free pre-show and post-show conversations with a company artist or scholar are presented on select performance dates.

Shakespeare Dinners are presented at 6:30 p.m. on select Saturdays for an additional $35 for a gourmet picnic and intimate pre-show talk. Wine, beer and soft drinks are available for sale, or bring your own. Shakespeare Dinner reservations are required at least 2 hours in advance.

For more information and reservations call 415-499-4488 or visit the Marin Shakespeare Company website at www.marinshakespeare.org