Cincinnati Shakespeare Announces 25th Anniversary Season

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company (CSC) announced the titles for its 25th Anniversary at The Otto M. Budig Theater in an event on February 21. CSC's 2018-2019 Season is generously sponsored by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation and all productions will feature Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's Resident Company of Actors.

"It is almost hard to believe that it has only been 25 years since Cincinnati Shakespeare Company became Cincinnati's stage for the classics! This organization has accomplished so much in a relatively short span of time as it continues to look towards the future. The season ahead is a fantastic example of that!" said Producing Artistic Director, Brian Isaac Phillips who is celebrating his 16th Anniversary as leader of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company.

"Next season, we are thrilled to offer three powerful plays by our house playwright William Shakespeare, which celebrate the best of the Bard! One of his most beloved comedies (Twelfth Night), his most moving romance (The Winter's Tale), and his most exciting tragedy (Macbeth) are all sure to delight and move new and long-time lovers of Shakespeare," says Mr. Phillips. In addition to these classics of the canon, CSC is also exploring new territory by producing works by artists new to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company's stage. For the first time the geniuses of August Wilson (Fences), Stephen Sondheim (A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum), and Georges Feydeau (A Flea in Her Ear) will be on the stage, as well as George Orwell (1984) in a regional premiere of the recent West End and Broadway hit.

"Presenting the company's first musical has been a long time dream of mine and has been requested by our patrons for many years" says Mr. Phillips. "Now that we have the new theater and added space we can fully realize this vision." CSC welcomes Choreographer Vince DeGeorge to the creative team to design the dance elements for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum". Mr. DeGeorge is Assistant Professor and Joseph Weinberger Chair of Acting for the Lyric Stage at University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music (CCM) teaching both directing and choreographing. Since 2013, while at CCM, Vince has directed and choreographed 12 productions to rave reviews and accolades. CSC also welcomes Music Director Erin McCamley who will direct and lead the live music used in the production. Ms. McCamley is a Cincinnati native that is now New York based and has music directed for The Carnegie, CCM, Know Theatre Cincinnati, Showbiz Players, and more. She is also a co-founder of the Queen City Queer Theatre Collective (QCQCTC). "Besides," Mr. Phillips adds, "what better way to celebrate our 25th Anniversary than by having a Toga Party?!"

CSC is also thrilled to welcome new and distinguished collaborators to the Director's Chair next season! New to CSC will be Christopher Luscombe, Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) directing "The Winter's Tale". While at the RSC, Mr. Luscombe directed "Shakespeare Revue", which transferred to the Vaudeville Theatre in London. Mostly recently at the RSC, Mr. Luscombe directed the hit production of "Twelfth Night" which closed Feb. 24, 2018 and was played live in cinemas in February 2018. Subsequent productions at Stratford include "Love's Labour's Lost" and "Much Ado About Nothing", both of which transferred to the Theatre Royal, Haymarket in the West End. In addition to the Royal Shakespeare Company and Stratford, he now adds Cincinnati Shakespeare Company to his list of directing credits that also includes such institutions as Shakespeare's Globe, Menier Chocolate Factory, Lyric Theatre, Apollo Theatre, Birmingham Rep, Oxford Stage Company, and more.

The director of "Twelfth Night" will be Austin Tichenor, co-managing partner of the Reduced Shakespeare Company. "CSC has been a long-time fan and producer of Austin's works such as 'The Complete History of America (abridged). We connected with him during our work with the Shakespeare Theatre Association and we are thrilled he has decided to join us next season and bring his comedic eye to our holiday time Shakespeare, 'Twelfth Night'"! Austin recently performed at Cincinnati Playhouse in "The Complete History of Comedy (abridged)" as a co-writer, co-director, and actor.

CSC also welcomes back Christopher V. Edwards to direct CSC's first ever August Wilson work, "Fences". Christopher directed last season's powerful hit "A Raisin in the Sun" and is currently directing "Othello" opening March 2, 2018 at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Mr. Edwards was recently named the Artistic Director of Actors Shakespeare Project (ASP) in Boston, MA. Prior to ASP, he was the Artistic Director of Nevada Conservatory Theatre (NCT) in Las Vegas. In addition to Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, Mr. Edwards has worked in London's West End, Off-Broadway, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Cleveland Playhouse, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Soho Rep, and the Guthrie Theatre to name a few.

Directing the other productions in the season will be members of CSC artistic team. Associate Artistic Director Sara Clark will be directing "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged); Associate Artist Miranda McGee will be directing "Macbeth" in her mainstage debut after directing CSC'S FREE Shakespeare in the Park tour; Director of Creative Education, Jeremy Dubin will be directing "A Flea in Her Ear" and "Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)"; and Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips will open the season by directing "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" and "1984".

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company continues to offer audiences great value with affordable, flexible subscriptions that include flexible tickets that can be used in any combination for any performance. Adult Subscriptions in packages of 7 tickets are $324, Senior Subscriptions are $290, and Student Subscriptions are $179. Budget-conscious patrons can also subscribe to the company's preview series. A Preview Subscription is just $200 and includes seven tickets that can be used for any preview performance, typically Wednesday and Thursday evenings before Opening Night. All subscriptions are currently on sale now and may be purchased through the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company website www.cincyshakes.com or box office by calling 513-381-BARD (2273) ext. 1. Single tickets for all shows will go on sale Monday April 2, 2018 but the recommended way to get the best price and first access to seats is by becoming a subscriber! There are also discounts available for students, seniors, local residents, and community partners.

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