Casting Announced for SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE at Alliance Theatre

The ALLIANCE THEATRE is pleased to announce the cast and creative team behind its upcoming regional premiere of Shakespeare in Love, based on the 1998 film that won seven Academy Awards including Best Picture. Described as "an absolute joy from beginning to end" (Daily Express), Shakespeare in Love tells the fictional story of young Will Shakespeare's search for inspiration - one that ultimately leads to love and his greatest masterpiece. This new adaptation has delighted audiences in London and Ontario and now makes its regional debut! Georgia Shakespeare Artistic Director Richard Garner will direct this love letter to William Shakespeare in his company's former home at Oglethorpe University's Conant Performing Arts Center while the ALLIANCE THEATRE undergoes a complete renovation. Performances are August 30 - September 24, 2017. Opening night is Wednesday, September 6.

The all Atlanta-based cast features some of Atlanta's most talented and well-respected actors in one of the largest ensembles of the 2017/18 season. Leading the cast in the role of Will Shakespeare is Thomas Azar. A few of Azar's recent credits include In the Next Room, Angels in America, Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, and The Confession - a staged reading of an Alliance/Kendeda National Graduate Playwriting Competition finalist. Will's muse Viola will be played by Bethany Anne Lind. Lind's recent Alliance credits include Troubadour, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Edward Foote. Other recent credits include Our Town and The Glass Menagerie.

Also joining the 23-member cast are Jeremy Aggers (Wabash/Frees/Heavy Two); Chase Steven Anderson (Tilney); Caleb Baumann (Webster); Scott E. DePoy (Musician); Barrett Doyle (Peter/Valentine/Barman/Guard Two); Allan Edwards (Sir Robert/ Boatman/ Ralph); Richard Garner (Henslow); Thomas Neal Antwon Ghant (Marlow/Robin (Act Two)); Devon Hales (Kate/Queen's Attendant); Christopher Hampton (Guard One/Adam/Heavy One); Brian Hatch (Burbage); Tinashe Kajese-Bolden (Queen Elizabeth/Molly); Chris Kayser (Fennyman); Tess Malis Kincaid (Nurse); Joe Knezevich (Wessex); Meredith Myers (Mistress Quickly); Alexander Oakley (Abraham/Robin (Act One)); Gillian Rabin (Queen's Attendant); Benedetto Robinson (Nol/Sampson); Stephen Ruffin (Sam); Travis Smith (Ned Allyn/Lambert/Catling), and a loveable dog to be named at a later date.

"I am excited to be returning to the Conant Performing Arts Center at Oglethorpe University, the home of so many great Shakespeare productions over the years, to bring to life the funny, romantic, and poignant story of Will Shakespeare," said Director Richard Garner. "This play is a joyous celebration of the creative force that fuels the artistic spirit, and I couldn't be happier to be telling this story with this group of Atlanta's best artists. For me and many in the cast this is a homecoming to a very special stage that has hosted many of our past collaborations, and we are all excited to be back here again."

Members of the Shakespeare in Love creative team include Clay Benning (Sound Designer); Brandon Bush (Music Director); Angela Balogh Calin (Set and Costume Designer); ELisa Carlson (Dialect Coach and Assistant Director); McCree O'Kelley (Choreographer); Scot J. Mann (Fight Coach); and Ken Yunker (Lighting Designer).

Regular performances of Shakespeare in Love are Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30 pm, Fridays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays at 2:30 pm and 8:00 pm, and Sundays at 2:30 pm and 7:30 pm, August 30 - September 24, 2017. There will be no performance on Saturday, September 2, at 2:30 pm or Sunday, September 24, at 7:30 pm. Opening Night is Wednesday, September 6, at 7:30 pm.

Two special matinee performances for students and school field trips will take place on Thursday, September 14 and Thursday, September 21 at 10:30 am. For ticket information, contact allianceschoolday@woodruffcenter.org or call 404.733.4661.

Tickets start at $20 and are available at the Woodruff Arts Center Box Office in person or by calling 404.733.5000. Tickets are available online at www.alliancetheatre.org/shakespeareinlove. Tickets are also available for purchase at the Conant Performing Arts Center box office the hour before each performance.

VENUE INFORMATION

Oglethorpe University, Conant Performing Arts Center

4484 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30319

Link to map for Conant Performing Arts Center

Parking: Free visitor parking is available in the parking lot near the entrance to the Conant Performing Arts Center, behind Lowry Hall and along the southwest edge of campus. Look for event parking signs.

Transit: Gold line to Brookhaven MARTA station. Bus #25 to Peachtree Road@Lanier Drive stop. Walk 6 minutes to the Conant Performing Arts Center.

Link to map - Brookhaven MARTA station to Conant Performing Arts Center

Accessibility: Conant Performing Arts Center is equipped with Wheelchair Accessible seating and parking.

GROUP DISCOUNTS

Groups of 10+ receive discounts on the price of tickets and are not charged for box office fees. 404.733.4690

MILITARY DISCOUNTS

The Alliance thanks military families with 15% off regularly priced tickets to Alliance Stage and Hertz Stage productions. Military ID must be shown when picking up or ordering tickets at the Box Office. This offer is based on availability and cannot be combined with other offers.

$10 TEEN TICKETS

Any middle school or high school student can attend any performance for just $10. Look for the "teen" price when selecting your seats online. A valid/current student ID must be presented when picking up tickets at will call. Not all seating sections are available with this offer. A maximum of 4 tickets per order may be purchased with this discount.

TICKETS FOR TEACHERS

Tickets for Teachers is a unique program that provides educators with valid teachers ID free tickets for select early performances of all ALLIANCE THEATRE productions. Restrictions apply. Visit http://alliancetheatre.org/content/tickets-teachers for details.

See all discounts and special offers here - http://alliancetheatre.org/content/ticket-discounts

Shakespeare in Love is part of the Alliance Series presented by The Coca-Cola Company, with additional support from The Home Depot Foundation, Delta Air Lines, Inc., and PNC.

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