SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE Extends Through June 18 at Chicago Shakespeare

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces today the extension of Shakespeare in Love staged by acclaimed director Rachel Rockwell-now playing through June 18, 2017.

Based on the beloved Academy Award-winner for Best Picture with screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard, Shakespeare in Love is adapted for the stage by Tony and Olivier Award-winner Lee Hall. Culminating the Theater's 30th Anniversary Season, this high-spirited romantic comedy continues its wildly popular run in Chicago Shakespeare's Courtyard Theater.

Young playwright Will Shakespeare is stuck. He is overdue in finishing his latest play-a half-baked mess of a comedy called Romeo and Ethel, the Pirate's Daughter. He finds a muse in Viola de Lesseps, a clever beauty who will do anything-even disguise herself as a man-to audition for the stage, where no women are permitted to perform. Backstage antics meet onstage dramas surrounded by familiar players, including Queen Elizabeth herself. Will and Viola's passionate, forbidden love affair goes on to inspire Shakespeare's masterpiece-the most romantic tragedy ever written.

Leading the cast are Nick Rehberger as Will Shakespeare and Kate McGonigle as Viola de Lesseps. The company includes: Nathaniel Braga (Sam), Scott Danielson (Lambert/Wabash), Jerre Dye (Sir Robert de Lesseps/Tilney), Fred Geyer (Catling/Adam/Boatman), Dennis Grimes (Wessex), Alana Grossman (Mistress Quickly/Kate), Ron King (Ralph), Jeff Kurysz (Peter/Frees), Ryan McBride (Robin), Andrew Mueller (Nol), Michael Perez (Kit Marlowe), Ron E. Rains (Fennyman), Linda Reiter (Queen Elizabeth/Molly), Catherine Smitko (Nurse), Luigi Sottile (Ned Alleyn), Timothy D. Stickney (Burbage) and Larry Yando (Henslowe). Jake Helm and Matthew Uzarraga alternate performances in the role of John Webster. Rescue dog Dash makes his stage debut as Spot.

Joining Rockwell on the creative team are Composer and Music Director Neil Bartram, Scenic Designer Scott Davis, Costume Designer Susan E. Mickey, Wig and Make-up Designer Richard Jarvie, Lighting Designer Robert Wierzel, and Sound Designer Ray Nardelli. Completing the creative team are Jo Cattell as Associate Director, Matt Hawkins as Fight Choreographer and Eva Breneman as Dialect Coach.

For more information, visit www.chicagoshakes.com/shakespeareinlove.

Shakespeare in Love is presented at Chicago Shakespeare Theater now through June 18, 2017. Tickets are on sale now for $58-$88 (subject to change). Special discounts are available for groups of 10 or more, as well as CST for $20 tickets available for patrons under 35. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website at www.chicagoshakes.com.

Photo by Liz Lauren.

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