Shotgun Theatre Presents MARY STUART, 10/6-11/7

Two hundred years ago in England, or yesterday in America? The showdown between Elizabeth, Queen of England, and Mary, Queen of Scots plays itself out like a juicy political thriller, replete with intrigue, plot twists, and several stabbed backs. Mary Stuart begins October 6th and runs through November 7th at The Ashby Stage.

It is rare that two mighty queens share space anywhere, let alone onstage. Quite different from prevailing historical truth, Schiller's portrayal of Mary Queen of Scots in her battle against Queen Elizabeth I reveals an innocent and compelling woman on the eve of her wrongful death. With the deft hand Shotgun audiences have come to adore, Jackson seamlessly modernizes Mary Stuart's themes of terrorism, national security, political power dynamics, and gender issues. In the tradition of Shakespeare, Schiller used these prominent historical figures as mouthpieces to talk about politics in his time, and now Jackson uses them for ours where the thorny political conundrums of Mary Stuart are still alive.

Mark Jackson is a local tour de force in his own right, having written and directed for theaters all over the Bay Area for the past ten years. His world premieres for Shotgun Players include The Death of Meyerhold (2003), The Forest War (2006), and Faust, Part I (2009). Shotgun is proud to welcome MR. Jackson as a new company member this season.

The cast of Mary Stuart features Stephanie Gularte*, Beth Wilmurt, Jesse Caldwell*, Scott Coopwood*, Peter Ruocco, Dara Yazdani, Ryan Tasker, & John Mercer.

Mary Stuart is adapted from Friedrich Schiller's original and directed by Mark Jackson. Set Design by Nina Ball, Light Design by Jacob Petrie with Joan Arhelger, Costume Design by Christine Crook Sound Design by David Graves, Props Design by Megan Lush, and Projection Design by Chris Paulina.

*Member of Actors' Equity Association.

WHEN: Previews Wednesday, October 6th and Thursday, October 7th. Opens Friday, October 8th. Runs Thursday - Saturday at 8PM, Sundays at 5PM through November 7th. Wednesday performances at 7PM begin October 20th.

WHERE: The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley

TICKET PRICES: October 6, 7, 9 & 10 are Pay-What-You-Can. Opening Night Friday, October 8th is $30 with drinks and hors d'oeuvres included after the show. Regular performance nights are $20 Thursdays, $23 Friday and Sunday, $28 for Saturdays. Wednesday performances for $15. Advance reservations strongly advised.

For more information go to www.shotgunplayers.org or call 510.841.6500