Puppet Shakespeare Players to Present PUPPET TITUS ANDRONICUS Workshop, 7/25-28

The Puppet Shakespeare Players have announced that their upcoming preview production of Puppet Titus Andronicus will take place July 25 through 28th at the Access Theater, located at 380 Broadway.

Called "one of the stupidest and most uninspired plays ever written" by writer T.S. Eliot, and "a heap of rubbish" by dramatist Edward Ravenscroft, Shakespeare's Titus Andronicus was too tempting a tragedy for the Puppet Shakespeare Players to resist. Their previous tongue-in-cheek productions of Puppet Hamlet and Puppet Romeo & Juliet were focused on highlighting the humor in Shakespeare's tragic works, and the over-the-top gore of Titus Andronicus will receive it's own unique treatment.Puppet Titus will be an irreverent and playful take on a play few respect for it's theatrical integrity.

"Expect silly string," says Ryan Rinkel, Executive Producer and Director of Puppet Titus Andronicus. "Expect a lot of silly string."

Puppet Titus will be the second production that the Puppet Shakespeare Players have workshopped. Rinkel and his business partners, Artistic Director A.J. Cote and Supervising Producer Shane Snider, intend to use the preview to prepare the show for a full production this winter.

The company's unique approach to the immortal Bard's work involves more than equipping actors with puppets. Their mission is to inject new life into Shakespeare's work through comedy and improvisation that encourages audiences to get involved with the characters. Their preparation also includes a close reading of the First Folio texts in order to get at the heart of Shakespeare's ideas and intentions.

"We believe that Titus Andronicus was meant as a comedy," says Snider. "The violence and gore is too melodramatic to be taken seriously, and we're looking forward to pulling the humor out of the ridiculous situations that Shakespeare devised."

Puppet Titus Andronicus is produced in collaboration with Dee Snider's STT Productions. The cast features John Hardin (Titus), Sarah Villegas (Tamora), as well as actors/puppeteers Cody Boccia, A.J. Cote, Ross Hamman, Mindy Leanse, Whit Leyenberger, Shane Snider and Johnny Weissgerber.

Puppet Titus Andronicus will run July 25th - 28th, at Access Theater with three 8pm performances and one 3pm performance on July 28th. For tickets, a schedule of events and venue information, visit www.puppetshakespeare.org. Seating is limited. Pre-reserved tickets are $35, which will include a complimentary concession. Tickets will be available at the door for first come, first served seating for a $25 suggested donation.