Actors' Shakespeare Project Brings THE WINTER'S TALE to Brookline Tonight

Actors' Shakespeare Project continues its season-long exploration of "Affairs of the Heart", examining the darker side of love as a catalyst for cruelty and redemption with Shakespeare's THE WINTER'S TALE. Directed by OBIE Award winner Melia Bensussen, ASP brings this story of heartbreak and emotional resurrection to Willet Hall at United Parish, 210 Harvard Street in Brookline, from tonight, December 10, 2015 to January 3, 2016.

In a fit of unfounded jealousy, Leontes (Allyn Burrows), the King of Sicily, becomes convinced his best friend Polixenes (Nigel Gore), the King of Bohemia, and not he, has impregnated his wife Hermione (Mara Sidmore). What starts as irrational quickly turns tyrannical, as, sure of his betrayal, Leontes wrecks his marriage, condemns his new child, and destroys his life-long friendship. Lest sublime romance be lost to tragedy, through the passing of 16 years, and the enduring power of love, forgiveness wins out, bringing audiences one of the most astonishing and magical endings in English literature.

"If a 'sad tale's best for winter', our production may start in darkness, grief and regret, but we reach optimistically towards the hopefulness of spring," says director Melia Bensussen. "THE WINTER'S TALE speaks to the traps of one's own thinking--the destruction that ensues when we embrace a rigid point of view--and to our collective need to move beyond the darkness, believe in second chances, and together, leap into the unknown in search of healing and redemption."

"THE WINTER'S TALE gives us the chance to view our lives through a very hopeful prism," says Bensussen. "As a culture, we hear many calls to 'awake our faith.' But, in the theater, we ask audiences not to believe in something--but to suspend their disbelief. Working with ASP on this production, allowing that magic to exist and thrive in this new space is central to our work. I hope audiences will see themselves and their own journeys, from darkness to light, and jealously to forgiveness, through these beautiful moments Shakespeare has created."

The cast features Resident Acting Company Members (RAC) members Steven Barkhimer* (Autolycus), Marianna Bassham* (Paulina), Allyn Burrows* (Leontes), Mara Sidmore* (Hermione), Jesse Hinson* (Camillo) with additional cast including Austyn Davis (Perdita), Nigel Gore* (Polixenes), and Felix Teich (Florizel). Bios available here.

The design team includes Cristina Todesco** (sets), John Malinowski (lights), Mary Lauve (costumes), and Dave Remedious** (sound).

Event and Performance Schedule:

Open Rehearsal - Saturday November 28 11am - 12pm at Somerville Armory in Suite Not 2B. Seating limited.

Preview performances: - Thursdays December 10 and Friday, December 11 at 7:30 pm.

Official opening and Press performance Saturday December 12 at 8pm. To RSVP click here.

Regular performances: Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 3 pm (not Dec. 12) & 8 pm; and Sundays at 2pm with post-show discussion.

Student matinees: December 15 and 17 at 10 am. Post-show discussions take place after all 10am student matinees

Special Holiday Weeks Schedule: December 22 at 7:30 (StageSource Night), December 26 at 3pm and 8pm, December 27 at 2pm & 7pm, December 29 at 2pm & 7:30pm, December 30 and 31 at 2pm, January 2 at 3pm and 8pm and January 2 at 2pm.

Tickets are $28-$50 ($15 student rush) and can be purchased at actorsshakespeareproject.org or OvationTix at 866.811.4111 or at United Parish, although selection may be limited. Senior discount tickets are $3 off of regular price. Groups of 10+ may reserve seats for select performances via ASP's Patron Services at groups@actorsshakespeareproject.org or at 617.776.2200 x225.

Actors' Shakespeare Project is an award-winning professional theater company with a Resident Acting Company and extensive education, youth and community programs. ASP performs and works in found spaces, schools, theaters and neighborhoods to present and explore the robust language, resonant stories, and deeply human characters in Shakespeare's plays and in works by other great playwrights. Our work is ensemble-based and focused on intimacy, storytelling, language, relationships, voice, risk and artistry within and throughout the Boston area. For more information visit actorsshakespeareproject.org.

*A Member of the Actors' Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.
**Member of United Scenic Artists Local 82

Pictured: Allyn Burrows (Leontes), Mara Sidmore (Hermione), Marianna Bassham (Paulina). Photo by Stratton McCrady.

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