The 2011 Spring Repertory season at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival will include Ron Hutchinson's comedy Moonlight and Magnolias and Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing and Julius Caesar. Three "Extreme Weekends" are available where all three shows can be seen in the same weekend on April 30 - May 1, May 7-8, and May 21 - 22.
Tickets start at $25 and are available through the ASF box office, online at www.asf.net or by calling 1.800.841.4273. ASF is located at 1 Festival Drive in Montgomery's beautiful Blount Cultural Park.Moonlight & Magnolias by Ron Hutchinson runs April 8 - May 29. Imagine this: the production of the epic movie Gone with the Wind has stopped, the director's been fired and the screenplay deemed unworkable! A new writer is brought on board to turn this bomb into blockbuster--but can he do it in a week? Creative forces clash, the press hounds, and Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh wait impatiently for their lines in this hilarious fast-paced comedy. The NY Daily News said "Frankly, my dear, this is some funny play!"
Moonlight will feature Brik Berkes as Ben Hecht, Thom Rivera as Victor Flemming, Eric Hoffman as David O. Selznick and Nandita Shenoy as Miss Poppenghul.ASF Producing Artistic Director Geoffrey Sherman will direct, with scenic design by Peter Hicks, costume design by Elizabeth Novak, lighting design by Paul Wonsek and sound design by Richelle Thompson. Tanya J. Searle will stage manage with Cheryl Hansen as production assistant.Shakespeare's witty and wonderful Much Ado about Nothing runs April 14 - May 21. Bollywood glamour imparts shimmer and sparkle to this production set in India during the 1930's British Raj. In this raucous comedy of wits, Beatrice and Benedick work behind the scenes to save the wedding day of a falsely maligned bride. Along the way, they find that attraction works its art even on those most resistant to its charms!Much Ado is directed by Diana Van Fossen with music composed by Jim Conely, fight choreography by Marcus Lane, scenic design by Peter Hicks, costume design by Brenda Van der Weil, lighting design by Paul Wonsek, sound design by Richelle Thompson and movement consulting by Parul Kapoor. The dramaturg for this production is Bruce Mann with Melissa van Swol as stage manager and Tanya J. Searle as assistant stage manager.
The cast features Peter Simon Hilton as Benedick, Jenny Mercein as Beatrice, Thom Rivera as Don Pedro, Phillip Christian as Claudio, Brick Berkes as Borachio, Stephen Johnson as Leonato, Rodney Clark as Antonio, Nandita Shenoy as Ursula, James Bowen as Friar Francis, Eric Hoffmann as Dogberry. The cast also includes ASF intern actors Erik Gullberg as Claudio, Corey Triplett as Balthasar, Seth Rabinowitz as Condrad, Catlin McGee as Hero, Tara Herwig as Margaret, Kevin Callaghan as a Verges and Tyler Jakes as Second Watchman/A boy serving Benedick and a messenger.The final show to open in the spring repertory season will be Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. This spectacular tale of power, betrayal and revenge will run from April 16 - May 21. There are those in the ranks of Rome's political elite who believe Julius Caesar is becoming too arrogant and powerful. So conspirators gather to plot his murder. But Brutus and company do not quite pull off the perfect coup d'état and are forced to fight off Caesar's avenging allies, including Marc Antony, who will not rest until justice is done.
Geoffrey Sherman directs with music composed by Jim Conely, fight choreography by Marcus Lane, scenic design by Peter Hicks, costume design by Elizabeth Novak, lighting design by Paul Wonsek and sound Design by Brett Rominger. The dramaturg for the production is Susan Willis, with Tanya J. Searle as stage manager and Melissa Van Swol as assistant stage manager.The cast features Rodney Clark as Julius Caesar, Peter Simon Hilton as Marcus Antonius, Stephen Paul Johnson as Marcus Brutus, Thom Rivera as Cassius, Phillip Christian as Casca, Eric Hoffmann as Cicero, James Bowen as Ligarius, Brik Berkes as Decius Brutus, Greta Lambert as the Soothsayer, Nandita Shenoy as Lucius, and Jenny Mercein as Portia. The castalso features ASF Intern Actors Corey Triplett as Octavius Caesar/Trebonius, Erik Gullberg as M. Emilius Lepidus, Tyler Jakes as Publius/Young Cato, Seth Rabinowitz as Metellus Cimber, Kevin Callahaghan as Cinna, Catlin McGhee as Plebian/Servant to Caesar, and Tara Herwig as Calphurnia.
Julius Caesar has been playing in ASF Alfa SchoolFest student matinees since February 1. Much Ado began playing to students on March 8. Currently over 10,429 students are seated in the Julius Caesar performances and 8,211 students are seated in the Much Ado performances.For more information on the 2011 spring repertory season at ASF visit www.asf.net.
Are you an avid theatergoer? We're looking for people like you to share your thoughts and insights with our readers. Team BroadwayWorld members get access to shows to review, conduct interviews with artists, and the opportunity to meet and network with fellow theatre lovers and arts workers.
