(Lenox, MA) – Shakespeare & Company is pleased to announce casting for its upcoming Summer Performance Season, under the direction of Artistic leaders Ariel Bock and Jonathan Croy. 2016 will include a roster of audience favorites, critics’ top picks and a multitude of newcomers joining the Company’s 39th season, which is also part of this year’s worldwide Shakespeare 400 celebration marking the 400th anniversary of the Bard’s death.
The season includes three Shakespeare plays: The Merchant of Venice, The Two Gentlemen of Verona and Twelfth Night, plus Regional Premieres by three women playwrights: Or, by Liz Duffy Adams; The Taming by Lauren Gunderson and Ugly Lies the Bone by Lindsey Ferrentino, a bracing drama fresh from an acclaimed Off-Broadway production. Additional titles include Sotto Voce by Pulitzer Prize-winner Nilo Cruz, and the return of Stephan Wolfert in Cry “Havoc!”, and a new adaption of Aphra Behn’s Emperor of the Moon by Jenna Ware.
The free and popular Fourth of July Community Event featuring the reading of the Declaration of Independence returns to the schedule. Programming will continue into the fall and winter and includes a remount of the Company’s popular holiday show, It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play directed by Jenna Ware.
Ticket prices range from $10 to $80, with discounts from 10-50% off regular ticket prices for Groups, Students, Seniors, Teachers and the Military. Our very popular 40% Off Berkshire County Residents’ Discount will again be available. The Playhouse and Bernstein theatres are air-conditioned, wheelchair accessible and hearing-aid assisted. To learn more about the season, discount availability, to order tickets or request a season brochure, visit www.shakespeare.org.
A complete rundown of play titles, cast lists, press openings and performance dates for each production is as follows:
TINA PACKER PLAYHOUSE:
The Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Tina Packer
Cast: Kate Abbruzzese, Peter Andersen, Jason Asprey, Erick Avari, Thomas Brazzle, Jonathan Epstein, Michael Fuchs, Deaon Griffin-Pressley, John Hadden, Tamara Hickey, Cloteal L. Horne, Shahar Isaac, Bella Merlin, Dylan Wittrock
July 01 – August 21, 2016
Press Opening: Sunday, July 10, 4pm
Or,
by Liz Duffy Adams
Directed by Alice Reagan
Cast: Nehassaiu deGannes, Josh Aaron McCabe, Tod Randolph
July 23 – September 04, 2016
Press Opening: Friday, July 29, 7:30pm
The Two Gentlemen of Verona
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Jonathan Croy
Cast: Kate Abbruzzese, Peter Andersen, Jason Asprey, Erick Avari, Thomas Brazzle, Michael Fuchs, Deaon Griffin-Pressley, John Hadden, Tamara Hickey, Cloteal L. Horne, Shahar Isaac, Bella Merlin, Ryan Winkles, Dylan Wittrock
August 04 – September 04, 2016
Press Opening: Friday, August 12, 7:30pm
ELAYNE BERNSTEIN THEATRE:
The Taming
by Lauren Gunderson
Directed by Nicole Ricciardi
Cast: Maddie Jo Landers, Tangela Large, Lucy Lavely
May 27 – July 30, 2016
Press Opening: Saturday, June 4, 7:30pm
Ugly Lies the Bone
by Lindsey Ferrentino
Directed by Daniela Varon
Cast: Hamish Allan-Headley, Ariel Bock, Dylan Chalfy, Rory Hammond, Christianna Nelson
June 16 – August 28, 2016
Press Opening: Friday, June 24, 7:30pm
Cry “Havoc!”
by Stephan Wolfert
Directed by Eric Tucker
Cast: Stephan Wolfert
August 03 – August 13, 2016
Press Opening: Wednesday, August 3, 8:30pm
Sotto Voce
by Nilo Cruz
Directed by Daniel Gidron
Cast: Keren Lugo, Annette Miller
August 18 – September 11, 2016
Press Opening: Friday, August 26, 8:30pm
It’s a Wonderful Life: a Live Radio Play
Adapted by Joe Landry
Directed by Jenna Ware
Cast: Jonathan Croy, Jennie M. Jadow, David Joseph, Sarah Jeanette Taylor, Ryan Winkles
December 15 – 18
Press Opening: Thursday, December 15, 7pm
OUTDOORS:
Twelfth Night
by William Shakespeare
Directed by Jonathan Croy
Cast: Gregory Boover, Colin Gold, Kaileela Hobby, Marcus Kearns, Zoe Laiz, Conor Seamus Moroney
July 14 – August 20, 2016
Press Opening: Thursday, July 14, 6pm
*The Dell-Outdoors at the Mount
The Emperor of the Moon
by Aphra Behn
Directed by Jenna Ware
Cast: Gregory Boover, Caroline Calkins, Lori Evans, Hannah Gellman, Colin Gold, Kaileela Hobby, Marcus Kearns, Caitlin Kraft, Zoe Laiz, Conor Seamus Moroney, Concetta Russo, Lauren Russo, Keondra Walker, Kate Washington
July 15 – August 20, 2016
Press Opening: Friday, July 15, 5:30pm
*Rose Footprint Theatre
About Shakespeare & Company Located in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts,Shakespeare & Company is one of the largest Shakespeare Festivals in the country. Founded in 1978 by Tina Packer, the organization attracts tens of thousands of patrons annually. The Company is also home to a renowned Center for Actor Training, as well as an award-winning Education Program. More information is available atwww.shakespeare.org.
