Austin Shakespeare Presents THE WINTER'S TALE, 5/2-26

Culminating its 29th Season, Austin Shakespeare presents Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale, May 2-26, 2013, FREE to the public at the Zilker Hillside Theatre in Zilker Park, 2201 Barton Springs Road. This dark romance, fueled by the contrast between jealousy and joy, will be set in Latin America, staged with tango (choreographed by Gustavo Semplis of Esquina Tango) and will culminate in a Brazilian Carnaval with dancers and drummers from Austin Samba.

Artistic Director Ann Ciccolella says, "The Winter's Tale is Shakespeare's Romance: it's filled with wonder from beginning to end. I have long wanted to use tango and Argentinean music in our show and in Winter's Tale the spirit of passion and romance is strong. The delightful spirit of the second half of the play in spring festival calls for the joy of Brazilian Carnival."

The Winter's Tale is a fairy tale story of King Leontes, who becomes insanely jealous of his wife and best friend. In part two, the tale transforms into a comic country carnival with clowns and tricksters.

The production stars Michael Miller ("Mr. Darcy" in Pride & Prejudice) as the Argentinean King and Nancy Eyermann ("Princess of France" in Love's Labour's Lost) as "Hermione," his queen. Other Austin Shakespeare alumni appearances: Ben Wolfe as Polixenes ("Friar" in Romeo and Juliet); Keith Paxton as Florizel ("Mr. Bingley" in Pride & Prejudice); Sam Grimes as Camillo (Mr. Bennet in Pride & Prejudice); Nick Kier as Clown (Col. Fitzwilliam in Pride & Prejudice); Nathan Brockett as Cleomenes (Romeo and Juliet); Ben McLemore as Dion (Design for Living); Devin Finn as Shepherd (Mr. Wickham, Pride & Prejudice); Sue Breland as Dorcas (Lady Lucas, Pride & Prejudice); and Alison Stebbins as Mopsa (Player Queen, Hamlet).

Three of the best actors in the Austin area make first time Austin Shakespeare appearances: Amy Downing (ZACH) as Paulina; Amanda Morish (UT/MFA grad) as Perdita; Nick Lawson (Alabama Shakespeare Company actor, now instructor at Texas State) as the comic, Autolycus.

The Winter's Tale creative team has a similar mixture of Austin Shakes alums and newcomers: Jason Amato (resident light designer); Haydee Antunano (costumes Pride & Prejudice, Design for Living); and new to Austin Shakespeare, Christopher Sousa-Wynn (asst. prof. scenic design, Texas State).

Austin dance companies Esquina Tango and Austin Samba, co-collaborators on the production will invite the audience to learn some dance moves before the show. The samba lessons will take place on Saturdays, May 4, 11, 18 & 25 with Rob Patterson and Kaitlyn Jolly of Austin Samba and tango lessons will be held with Gustavo Semplis of Esquina Tango on Fridays May 11 & 24 and Sundays May 12, 15, 19.

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